The only thing that prompts a response from you is...sm

agreed except for one thing [2008-11-30]
I hope the guilty are sitting at home realizing they should take responsibility for their actions and not worry about the video and I also hope that they have enough conscience to actually feel guillty and to realize just how immoral their actions are. unfortunately, it appears people just do not have a heart anymore.

I've read the same thing about bathing dogs. sm [2008-11-30]
I have a Sheltie, and the Sheltie book recommends bathing when s/he gets very dirty or before a show. They don't need routine bathing. They need frequent brushing which removes dirt. Some dog breeds don't have oily coats, so don't smell. Sheltie is one of them, a collie is probably the same. I recommend taking Maggie to the groomer for a good brushing every other week or so. It would be good for Maggie's coat and skin. The groomer can advise you when she needs a bath.

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!

I think you are doing the best thing for your kids [2008-11-25]
My youngest is now 21, but I was much the same kind of mother you are. I hated video games from the first time they came out and my boys NEVER had any of them. We played lots of board games, they had a few little computer games, but none of the Nintendos or any of that stuff. They built stuff with Legos, played with each other, played outside in the yard and probably their favorite things were large cardboard boxes and their imaginations. My kids have grown up to be happy, healthy and well-adjusted, much more so than their couch-potato, gamer peers. So hang in there!

I go through this same thing every holiday - [2008-11-25]
I have to spend the holiday with my family by myself and miss my husband or else I have to insist that he go and then we are both miserable all day and it turns out bad anyway. I never know what to do... I want to spend holidays with him, but at the same time I do not want to make him go somewhere he obviously does not want to be. I'm sorry that I cannot give you answers, but just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

OMG! I did the same thing. I have a picture..sm [2008-11-21]
I My kids were younger so the dollar store was great! Seriously, my living room was full! It For little kids that was easy. But now they I miss those days of buying from the dollar store and filling the living room. Now, theyonly get 1 or 2 presents and I hate it. It makes me cry every year. I'll look for that picture on my break and try to upload it.

My Rottie did the same thing [2008-11-13]
He loves everybody. He will get up and see who is coming in, but if we tell him okay, he goes back and lays down. We had some repairs being done after a leaking roof. Painters and carpet installers in and out. Roofers on the house. All sorts of noise and men for a few days. The day after they finished the work, I was home by myself, andone of the carpet guys came back and knocked on the door. When I opened the doormy Rottie got between me and the screen door, growled a low serious growl, and his hair on his back came up. The guy wanted to come intocheck on the carpet job. I told himthe carpet was fine, I would call the store if there were any problems, and closed the door. A few weeks later the same guy raped a woman the day after he had been to her house installing carpet. Turns out he didn I trusted my dog Although I don't know what the guy was thinking that he could come in and hurt me without fighting off me and the dog, but you never know!

You did the right thing. A year and a half ago 5 girls, sm [2008-11-13]
from a town that I used to live in, (1 had been in preschool with my daughter), just graduated from high school, were on their way to the family cottage of one of the girls, and they were all killed in a crash. There had been a text message sent from the driver's phone just before the crash. Everyone left behind was devastated. Hopefully your actions will save her life.

As far as the breast-feeding thing sm [2008-11-13]
There are a few herbal supplements and other medications that women can take to stimulate lactation. I was on an infertility board several years ago, and there were adoptive mothers doing this. It is difficult and often does not work. There are also ways to simulate breast-feeding (special tubing connected to bottles that are situated in a way to get the infant to suckle) that can also help lactation.

One thing I forgot to add was that - sm [2008-11-11]
a big part of the problem is owners who don't neuter their male dogs. Most of the attacks on the news in my area seem to involve un-altered males. The dog that had me cornered was also an un-altered male. There was a really horrible attack in San Francisco a couple years ago... a 12-year-old boy was killed in his own home by the family's pet pitbulls. (Un-altered males). Apparently there was already a problem with them, and the mother knew the dogs couldn't be trusted with her son (who was afraid of them) home alone. A female she had was in heat at the time, too. The boy was home alone, and the mother had locked the dogs in another room. Somehow, they got out, and tore the poor boy to shreds. Imagine being the mom and coming home to that! When animal control picked up the dogs, they had the boy's blood all over them. I actually recognized one of them - had seen someone walking it through the park one day. So the problem was... even though the mother knew the dogs might be dangerous, and she tried to do the right thing by locking them up, on that particular day, that wasn't enough. Granted, they don't all act like that. Plus just about any breed can revert to a predatory pack mentality under the right conditions. But again, irresponsible breeding has changed the breed in large part for the worse (they're bigger and more aggressive). Unresponsible owners who don't properly socialize the dogs (or who fight them, or encourage them to be aggressive for 'protection') are the worst offenders. And those who are backyard breeders. Now there are 'way too many of them, and 'way too many with the bad bloodlines, too. And you won't believe THIS: Remember the story about the huge Presa Canario dogs that killed a woman in a San Francisco apartment hallway? (Earning their owners some well-deserved jail-time). Well, some people are actually crossing pits and Presas! Saw some for sale the other day on Craigslist. Talk about breeding 'biting machines'! Those things will grow up to be 150-lb. pitbulls-on-steroids.

The only sure thing about having a High IQ [2008-11-11]
is that you can score high on an IQ test. My mother had an IQ of 150 and she was a data entry clerk all of her life.

I think you did the right thing - sm [2008-11-02]
I enjoy caroling and never expect to get anything out of it other than sounding good with my family/friends. When carolers come to my door (not often but it happens) I generally give out Christmas cookies or candy, which I usually make all through the Holiday season. As a caroler, though, it's about singing and being appreciated for that that counts, I think.

That's really not nice of him, you poor thing [2008-11-02]
Good that he he let you do the baby!

Isn't that a shame? But it's not just a recent thing. I've heard of it [2008-10-24]
//

I know it is very harsh...the thing is I have asked her so many times (sm) [2008-10-21]
and the things she says are hurtful to my children. I am not petty and it is not over something small like candy or just having a difference of opinion. The things she says to them really scare and upset them. She let them watch a woman giving birth on TV once when they were very young...I had not explained yet to them exactly how a baby gets out...they were both very upset. She also has told other family members that she believes my husband is a child molester and that he has made my son, who is 11, gay. My husband is not a molester. My son likes girls. He has no idea she ever said that, but if he ever heard that she did, it would probably be very devastating to him. Each time I have sat down and tried to explain to her that we donoh, yeah, that She kept the kids while I was gone overnight this past weekend and I specifically asked her not to say anything that would scare them. She let my daughter invite a friend to sleep over. She told them all about ghosts and demons and how she once saw a demon in her closet. The girl sleeping over got scared and cried to go home at midnight. My daughter called me on my cell at midnight crying because her friend was scared and going home and she was also scared. At what point do I draw the line?

Excellent response! [2008-10-17]
Short on time and brain is toast but hey, want to know, keep me in mind and I'll answer too tomorrow probably. I enjoy conversation, even at odds with someone, that is not like what I see up a little further on this page. Thanks.

Correct about one thing [2008-10-16]
One can still be saved and not have to attend church but church should be a place where we can go to be with those who follow Christ and if we do it right, be there for one another in Christ. I don't believe a person is sinful just because they don't attend a church but I know it would uplift them to belong to a good church and be a part of a church community. So many times people feel lonely and isolated and a good church family would be there for them.

That's such a mean thing to say! What if someone wanted you to be illegal! nm [2008-10-14]

I'm not working either; it's a good thing, since my thumb feels like it will soon fall off - n [2008-10-12]
:)

Well then I guess it is a good thing that ...sm [2008-10-12]
close minded people like you don't run our country then. Go do some research before you make comments. A pit bull is a dog like any other. They are steretyped as being vicious because some people fight them. I do not agree with fighting any breed of dog including pit bulls. Those fighting pits are TRAINED to do that. They are not born that way. Some won't even fight after being trained to. I used to have a Yorkie that was a little fellow but he was 10 times meaner than my pit. Actually I will tell you how nice the pit was. With his size he could have easily killed the yorkie. Well the yorkie was constantly growling and biting the pit and one day just reached up and bit him square on the balls. The pit turned around and just looked at him. He could have torn the little fellow apart but he didn't. Now would a unstable mean dog be that calm? You need to rethink your comments. You are way off the mark.

I thought the same thing... [2008-10-08]
I feel so bad for her, with all this expectation to be so much and just be starting life. So very very sad :-(

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

Thinking the same thing...... [2008-10-07]
xx

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

Well, the other thing that you have to [2008-09-24]
remember is that she is a teenager and most probably this will pass, the hormones, etc. There were plenty of times my kids hated me too, but they're very close to me now. They no longer live at home and I still talk to them and see them all the time. I also have a 14-yo daughter and am not looking forward to when she turns 16 that's for sure!! I hated my father too when I was a teenager, but of course, I don't now. I know this really hurts you to hear your daughter say this, but I really think it will pass. In the meantime, though, you do have to stay on top of things that endanger her life and that's not overreacting! About the phone, can you take the phone all together and only let her have it when she is away from you so that you can get in touch with her? Don't know that this will work, but it is another step to try. I took one of my sons to a therapist for a while and he hated it. Did nothing for him. He's fine now, but he was definitely an angry young man at that age. That's why I think so much of this will pass with time. She denies other drugs you say, but you still have a sense. Have you searched her room? Her computer? I always told my kids that I would respect their privacy as long as they gave me no reason not to. If I felt there was a reason, I would look through anything and everything. Good luck!!!

Is it necessary to see a doctor if you've got mono [2008-12-01]
From what I read (doing the Internet doctor thing ) there's nothing medicinal they can give you for it, so why bother going to the doctor in the first place? Everything I've read says all you can do is treat the symptoms - take Tylenol, get lots of rest and fluids, gargle with salt water for sort throat, etc.

I had mono or Epstein Barr Virus...sm [2008-12-01]
which ever you want to call it. Epstein Barr Virus causes mono. I had it in 2003 and I was so sick. Believe it or not, I had it for 1-1/2 years. I was diagnosed after doing extensive bloodwork. I was house bound. I couldn't rarely go anywhere. I was so weak I couldn't get out of bed some days. It was the most awful thing I have ever had. And nothing could be done about it. It just had to kind of wear off. I did take a lot of vitamins toward the end of it and they seemed to help.

Agree. IMO, the people who took the door sm [2008-11-30]
off the hinges should be charged with involuntary manslaughter. Hope the security cameras got a good shot of those SOBs. I read that other workers tried to help the poor trampled man and they also got hurt. Think of how much business these stores would get if they offered such bargains for a longer period. Greed is an evil thing.

we don't exchange gifts either [2008-11-29]
We stopped exchanging gifts about 30 years ago. When my husband and I first approached the subject, we met with some resistance, but we stood our ground and said we would not be buying gifts. My husband is the oldest in a family of 7. By the time they all married and had children, the number could have been quite staggering to buy for. I was a surprise baby, my sisters being greater than 11 years older than I am, so when they began their families I was too young to buy anything to buy for them and so never started doing so. Now both of our families agree the holidays are much more enjoyable without the stress of the gift buying, worrying about what to get, how much, will the like it, can I afford it, etc., etc. The true gift of Christmas is the love we feel for our families and all we ask is time with them, and everyone agrees on this. We usually bake or take small treats to the families are who have misfortune of spending Christmas at the Ronald McDonald House in our city due to the illness of a child. Often the other kids in the family (the healthy ones) get lost in the shuffle of caring for a child with cancer. There is no gift one can give as great as giving and bringing joy to a family in such a situation. Anyway, my point is that there may be others in the family who will feel the same way, that it is just too stressful, and you may find that they will appreciate the holidays much more if the gift stress is taken out of the equation. I should add here, I do buy something for my own children but usually one or two things and my grandchildren because, after all, Santa still comes (!) and I do think Christmas gift giving is for children. Watching my little ones open is a gift a truly a fun thing to do and makes me happy. I do ask my kids not to buy for me or my husband because they have young families and can't afford the extra money. I have always told them I would rather they spend time with me any day then go out and buy a gift.

I feel exactly the same way. [2008-11-29]
When my siblings and I started having kids, we agreed not to buy for each other's families. That has worked out fine. This year, we have NO money. Even though we still have our same jobs, it seems like more money is going out than is coming in. I don't quite understand where the money is going myself, try explaining that to family. I would just like to completely forget Christmas this year. I would even volunteer to work to get out of it. Don't feel bad about being bitter. I find myself getting tired of having no money and having to explain why we can't do the things we used to do all the time. I've started preparing the kids for Christmas, telling them it is going to be real skimpy around here. They are old enough to understand but whether they believe me is another thing.

Did anyone watch Wolfgang Puck on HSN .ast night.. [2008-11-29]
Lord, did that hostess with himtalk to no end. I couldn Everytime he She was talking nonstop. And saying the same thing over and over. Also, did you see when Wolfgang Puck sneezed into to the towel? THen he wipedpans and the counter with it? Then I noticed not too long after that he put some fritata on a plate and gave it to the talkative host and I didn I have to hand it Mr. Puck for the amount of patience he showed with Ms. Butt-In-Ski. Well, I guess t.v. has really gone downhill when you end up enjoying the commercials more than the shows, but I do...especially when they are selling cookware.

linen N things [2008-11-29]
I got a really weird looking stainless steel dutch oven looking thing with a long handle. It is actually a 5 quart with a top. I think I will fry things in it. It was too weird to pass up and too cheap since the store was liquidating.

not a healthy two-year-old [2008-11-28]
Apparently, the whole house had the rotavirus and the two year old got an ileus? This is a relative. I have never heard of such a thing!

after my shift...sm [2008-11-28]
I was in Walmart for 10 minutes because there was non-Christmas stuff that I needed and then I went to the grocery store, which was not crowded at all. I was going to go to Target for 1 thing until I saw the parking lot. Not a chance! That 1 thing wasn't that important. This is the first time I've gone shopping on Black Friday in years. It was good to reminded why I don't do it.

I think I am anti-gift giving this year [2008-11-28]
Money is so tight right now I am no sure how I am going to pay my bills this December.I had some unexpectedbills come up that needed to be taken care of. On top of that, I have to come up with X-mas gifts for everyone and they do not like cheap things. Their idea of cheap is hand-made and they do not like it. So that is out. I just got a part-time job but that is not going to kick in a whole lot of money until closer to the end of the year. I would like to opt out of gift giving this year but if I suggest it I get the lecture from family members of what do you do with your money?, what are you spending it on? and other invasive questions. The other unforunate thing is I live in the same town with them. The most inexpensive thing on my niece She is not careful with these and she has already gone through so many. To top it all off I have 3 birthdays in December. I really hate this time of year. Any suggestions on how to tell them to just buy for them and not for me and let me out of this so-called family time? Sorry to be so bitter.

Older folks sometimes lose it before they really lose it sm [2008-11-27]
It sounds like she having some issues with money and thought processes. Four potatoes and three sweet potatoes? She has lost touch with reality. I don't mean this in an unkind way. I think she didn't stop the think or plan the budget around this. Perhaps she has lost the ability to properly plan on some level. This makes no sense. In my family, food at grammatoo expensive and started using shavings of naphtha soap. She started saving little soap slivers and making new bars of soap with them. She stopped buying shampoo unless it was in the markdowns at the grocery store. She started using a baggie for her vacuum cleaner bag. You get the picture here. The interesting thing is that truly, that gramma never fully lost it. We considered this idiosyncratic and went on. She kept the rest of her faculties, but had these odd ways of saving money. My other gramma who never did any of these things did, in fact, suffer from profound dementia the last 10 years of her life. Of course, that set of grandparents had the issue the other way. Toilet paper: Bought in bulk 6 cases at a time. Find a salad dressing you like, buy a couple of cases. You never did want to tell them you liked a certain food, paper product or soap something because if you did, along would come a few cases of it! We all do something when we get older. Help her out so she isn't embarrassed by this!

Ah! There is your problem, Singers are worthless! sm [2008-11-27]
Seriously, they are. They have been made in Japan for 35 years or better. Japanese sewing machines are the WORST. Janhome (sp?), White, Necchi, Juki...all Japanese and all terrible things! Brother is from there too these days. They don't keep their tension, they are notoriously difficult to thread and they don't stitch worth a $hyte. If want something you can use for many, many years...you get a Pfaff, an Elna or a Bernina. They are European made. Pfaff has lots of bells and whistles for less money (I swear by a Pfaff and own 4 of them (2 regular, 2 sergers). Bernina is an excellent machine, but plenty of money gets you basics and fancy stuff like an extra presser foot is very pricey (A Pfaff ruffler is like $100, but a Bernina is more like $250). I know Pfaff's best. They have a hook around back to thread your needle for you. They have a fully adjustable tension and it DOES hold and will revert back when you change it. This is something a Singer will never ever cooperate with. Change the tension once and it won't go back no matter where the knob is. They are dead easy to thread and do so in a way that you never have to thread a slot, hole or needle eye. I know you are thinking too much money. One, you get what you pay for, and two, a second-hand Pfaff that has been reconditioned by a factory-trained mechanic is every bit as good as a brand new one. Unlike the Japanese machines, European ones have almost no moving parts, and they are modular. Burn out a motor (I have done this) and the old one snaps out and the new one snaps right in. I can also tell you I was a professional dressmaker of 10 years. In that time I killed a Singer serger, a Juki serger, a Singer lightweight, a New Home and a Necchi. For the second half of those years, I went to a Pfaff. I used the first one so much I wore the carbon brushes out in 15 months, grooved the armature on the motor and had to replace the motor!!! It worked great after that and I sold it for $200 less than I had paid for it new. Right now, to replace the 4 I have would cost me $20,000, but I own the very best, latest thing when I bought what I have. I own the first sewing machine model to retail for over $3000 (at $3399) but I didn't pay anywhere near that because you CAN negotiate on prices of sewing machines at independent retailers. I traded something in and bought 2 new regular machines with a total retail of $5000 and walked out with both for $1800 and that trade in. On a used machine they often make even better deals. No Virginia, it is not you! It is the SEWING MACHINE.

i agree not to lie, but allow the fairy tale!! [2008-11-27]
i always asked questions -- like really? you don't think there is a santa claus?? etc. Its fun for the imagination. My grown daughter now tells how she used to listen for the reindeer's footsteps on the roof -- and one night she thought she heard them!! Its a fun thing. But no, i never lied. If you EVER lie to your children, they will always question your honesty in a sensitive matter.

How old do they have to be to peel easy? [2008-11-27]
Another thing I If you just let them cool down on their own, without running cold water over them, they're harder to peel.

Sewing machines make me crazy...sm [2008-11-26]
I had my mom's old machine. I kept it for a few years because I would make my son's costumes at Halloween and things. Well it was such a pain in the a** I told my mom a few months ago she could take the thing back. I would have problems getting the dang thing started. Or either be sewing along and realize it wasn't actually sewing. It never went smoothly and it fustrated me. So I said enough of this.

As women, I think we all tend to have issues with our MILs... [2008-11-26]
No one is ever good enough for their sons, kind of thing--lol

If you tell your kids that Santa Claus is real [2008-11-26]
I don nephew are 5 mos. old) it if they find out you lied there will be consequences and other remarks like that. We were talking the other day and without even thinking we were talking about how Uncle Joey usually dresses as Santa but this year we might want to ask his son to take over and our friends child heard our discussion. Well, she got so mad because we were insensitive to her daughter and we don Come to find out that her kids all think Santa is real. The oldest is 17, well, I So I wondered if she is lying to her children by telling them santa claus is real?

It's lying in the absolute literal sense, but so what. [2008-11-26]
I think itcontrolled dissemination of information can be a good thing. My kids don't need to know what I did when I was a wild child, for example. And on occasion I've told them there were no more Little Debbies in the house, even though I had a personal stash hidden away. LOL! As far as Santa goes, I loved it. The way I explained it to my children when they got older and stopped believing was that when weto give. When my oldest became aware of the Santa reality, he wanted to Santa for my little brother, and kept the fantasy alive for him. Now they do that for others. I consider that a reality. The arguments regarding the honesty of the Santa fantasy will go on and on. In the end, it's a personal family decision to participate or not, and I think we can all be respectful of other family's decisions by not divulging the truth within earshot of children who believe, and not arguing over the issue with parents who believe otherwise.

Found my Scrabble game sm [2008-11-26]
Went online to Walmart at 4:30 AM, they had thenew jubilee edition for $10 less than Hasbro direct, ithas a carrying case, curved letter holders, lazy Susan turning board. The only thing I didn I donseedy and I would not enjoy going there in the dark AM, so I did well. I have gotten my two grandsons interested in Scrabble as this is the only part of my brain that works well and itBeat Grammie - better than being glued to the Wii. LL Bean has a great wooden set but it's $99 and would be hard for them to carry around.

HELP! Turkey Day dilema [2008-11-26]
We are going to MILs for Turkey Day. She made a big thing out of doing dinner and everything for her family this year. My husband just went to her house and comes home to tell me we are going to starve tomorrow. lol There are 9 people in the immediate family and she has invited at least 4 other people that we know of. She is makinga small turkey breast, 4 potatoes for mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls and that Oh, and an apple and cherry pie. Nothing else. Any ideas on how I can creatively make food to take without upsetting her. I am already bringing a pecan pie and pumpkin pie because I was in the mood. Any suggestions, ideas? We are expected to spend the entire day and evening down there. Already made plans to play cards, games, etc. and make a day out of it when I get off work.

men [2008-11-26]
Unless your husband saw the four potatoes sitting on the counter and his mom said that is it for 13 people, I would have to guess that husband is exaggerating a little bit, but I still think your tray idea is a good thing just in case.

LOL exactly. [2008-11-26]
and when young children are hungry, you feed them cause you never know when they are going to be picky and not eat. She sent a bag of sweet potatoes and asked if I would make them. Hubs was steaming them for me. I just went to check them - there are 3. For 14 people (that we know of), she has 3 sweet potatoes. It's a good thing I have some. Tomorrow should be fun. Maybe its an age thing. I know they talk about not eating as much any more, splitting meals when they go out for dinner, etc. Maybe they don't remember what the average adult or teenage boy eats? Who knows! I thank everyone for the brainstorming session though. I think I have some good ideas and will check back in the morning to see if there are more. :)

Sure! It's the easiest ever! [2008-11-26]
Actually based on the Tupperware recipe. I keep everything chopped and frozen except for the canned tomatoes. I buy a packet of salsa seasoning at the grocery store for ease and I can usually find it on sale for 33cents and stock up. 1 large bell pepper 1/2 a medium onion 1 large can of tomatoes (chopped or whole but no seasoning) 1 large garlic clove or garlic powder I add a squirt of lime juice (if I have it) and black pepper. Then a packet of seasoning mix and some dried about 2 teaspoons of dried cilantro (if I have it). Keep it chunky or blend it/food process it to the texture you like. We like it pretty smooth. I add Tabasco sauce to taste for heat. Less than 5 minutes preparation and it is the thing that everyone now asks me to bring to parties and gatherings. :) Enjoy!

Does anyone play board games or card games anymore? [2008-11-25]
My 7-year-old child was invited to a B-day party for a little boy that was also turning 7. Anyway, when it came to opening gifts, he got Wii game toys, the different controlers and games. I did not even know the kid had a Wii game, but it seemed like everyone else did. I bought him a race track and a game of Go Fish. The race track got an I already have that comment and the Go Fish was what the heck. He did not say that but he kinid of looked at it like that and put it back in the bag. I wondered if he even knows what Go Fish is. The only gamesmy child has are board games, card games, those free games you can play on the computer and 1 game that plugs into the TV. It looks like a joystick and it has 3 games in it. These games have helped her in her reading because she has to read directions. She can identify a lot of the ocean fish. I was treated like an outcast at the party anyway. Itried to join in conversations with the other mothers, I would get ignored or very short answers, some would actually walk away. Then one mother actually turned her back to me to talk to another so I would just listen. They were talking about building houses, they have lots of land blah blah blah. They were giving each other advice on what to do with it all. When the conversation turned to how their kids are struggling in this subject or that that is when I got up and left because they toned their conversation down and then shut it off completely when then thought I was listening, so I thought that was my cue just leave so they can vent to one another about it. Itwas moreabout the teachers expecting too much blah blah blah.I have known some of these mothers or their spouses since we were little kids. They really treated me like trash back then. I thought that now that we were in our 30s, have not had much contact with each other since HS until now that our kids are going to school together, it would be like water under the bridge. Guess not. The families were wealthier than we were (just about every family was wealthier than we were back thenlol)but I know theycan Well, actually I don The only thing I did have over them is my kid is not struggling in school. She is making straight As on all her subjects. The only reason I went was because my 7-year-old and the7-year-old boy are really good friends and Ithought thatmaybe me and the other mothercould find something in common.At school, they are in separable so I really wanted dd to go to help him celebrate his special day. I could not help but notice that dd played with him more and the others were playing among themselves. I do worry if that tee I worry that they are going to discriminate against DD because I was a poorlittle nobody back in school and they were popular.I worry that they are going to start refusing to let the little boy play with dd and it will break her heart and hate me. I take baths, I practice clean living, always have, no drugs, alcohol. I don I pay my bills. Everything I own, I got honestly, paid for it myself. Of course, it isn H is not from here, he went to school elsewhere. I used to worry about that too back when we 1st started dating..Him finding out I was an outcast, dork or whatever and hate me. Now I worry that my child is going find out and resent me.

You didn't do anything wrong sm [2008-11-25]
Some people never leave the high school mentality. Donvideo games, as long as theyare age-appropriate. They help build hand-eye coordination. I think there was even astory about surgeons playing them because of how much remote-assisted surgeries arebeing done now.As far as board games here, we just got the game of Life and have been playing it lately -- the kids absolutely love it! They also love Uno, Monopoly, and SkipBo. I told them the best thing about these games is that we can play them even if the lights go out (this was during hurricane season).