lumabean

Nibbles Sugar Drop here

Happy Birthday!!!

Praying for you through all of this. I just cannot imagine, it's a lot to deal with, esp. emotionally. Lots of prayer for you, and your parents.

I thought you were serious there until the end lol. Add me to the list of those who fell for it LOL Happy Birthday to Lori Happy Easter, too

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday!

I'd also call the phone company, tell them about the harassing calls, and ask for a number change -- when I had to do that the rep said they'd do it once for free. I'd also opt for the unlisted/unpublished option too, it's only about an additional $3/month, but I found it to be worth it.

Happy Birthday, Wormie!!! Have a great day, and wonderful year full of blessings.

As I read that article, I literally had my jaw drop several times. This part made me wonder ... as did this one, esp. in light of the social worker risk assessment proposal for Pa: I guess the first part sums it up as to my concerns: So, per his statement... what else is it not our right as parents? I'm actually afraid to ask

Happy Birthday, Pauline!!! Have a wonderful day, and a year ahead full of all wonderful and positive things.

Maybe the network will buy one of the scripts Interesting idea with the foil balls - sounds like a good idea. I've got to use the laundry in town now, so I wonder if any of the other patrons would notice. It sure would save money if it cuts down on drying time.

While I don't want to see any child harmed, I don't think that we should all be open for inspection so that the bad can be weeded out. Parents like the family in example 2 are horrible, and I feel for the kids in that situation, but there are others who are so much more familiar with the family and kids who can do something -- friends, family, and acquaintances -- grandma and grandpa could have called CYS, so could friends and family. They'd be far more insightful than Susie Social Worker coming in out of the blue to do the homeschool check-up. Say this does come about -- think of the next steps. Why Mr/Ms Gun Owner, you seem stable, but let us just come on in and assess the risk of you owning one. There are some really unstable people out there, and would snap at any moment, it takes awhile to weed the bad ones out, so we all open up, so they can come in, mark us as okay, and move on to the next home... It can go beyond ensuring that children are eating -- to *what* those kids are eating, how often, and in which amounts. No, I am not paranoid (the tin foil just reflects things poorly to appear that way ) I would never want any child to be harmed, but at the same time, I don't feel that everyone should be open to CYS assessments/visits.

oh my, I can see how the producers can play this up, putting a fake beard on your dh, tattered clothes, and having him wander in with a can of change toward the end of the segment I don't think we collectively have enough crazy to make the cut though LOL

Clearance sales aren't what they used to be in my area. It used to be that after holidays there were deep discounts, but not recently. I heard that CVS (not sure of all, or just our local ones) are only taking clearance to a certain point and then no further like they used to. Wal-Mart's clearances are pretty close to the regular price. Tractor Supply's clearnace section shrank majorly as well. At first I thought I was hitting it wrong, but it seems pretty consistent. I've noticed some grocery stores used to have sales like 2/$5 and didn't make you buy both to get the sale price, now say must buy 2 (or whatever the number) for the sale price. Not all of course, but it was weird seeing that on their signage when it never used to be that way before. The usual sales on baking items and such around Christmas were non-existent this past holiday season as well. Used to be a good time to stock up on things, but I didn't see any real sales, stock up prices on the items like in years past on baking items.

Happy Birthday!

I believe Philly even has homeschool laws above those others in Pa. have to abide by, (I think even their compulsory school age is lower than the rest of the state). So it beign Philly based seems to make sense,

Imo, regardless of the intention, it is an intrusion. Are there abused children who are homeschooled -- I am sure there are, sadly. However, I don't think that the rest of us should have to be subjected to a CYS visit because some people are bad parents or abusive. In Pa, each year homeschool families must fill out paperwork (which includes proof our children received proper medical and dental exams,vaccinations), and at the end of each year we have to have a professional evaluate our child's educational progress, which includes an in person interview with the child(ren). So none of the kids are ever truly with no contact other than their families. It's just not going to happen. They see the dr., the dentist, the evaluator -- just to name the three. I doubt that many kids are subjected to just having those three outlets anyway,but on the off chance that's more common than I believe, there's still outside contact with "official" people who are legally bound to report abuse. Think of the other applications for this -- some kids may not being fed 3 squares a day -- should parents be subjected to CYS coming in to inspect? It may seem like a silly exmaple, but I think it fits -- I don't think just because some parents are horrible means the rest of us should have to prove we're not. This to me seems more along the lines of guilty until proven innocent, and that bothers me. ~~~~~~~~~ editted to add... My husband and I disagree on this issue --- I think it's an intrusion and would be unjustifiable, however my husband sees it the way you do, TMC, he said to me "so what, if [a family] doesn't have anything to hide, what's the big deal". That viewpoint can be applied to anything though -- we don't have anything to hide, why not allow the police, CYS, etc. to come right on in and have a look see whenever they choose, because we have nothing to hide, after all. He thinks I am extreme, I think he is

Wow, when I read things like this, I am all the happier that this is the final year that we have to file with the school district at all since ds is now 17 -- scary thoughts for the families who have younger children though. This was on a CHAP (Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania) feed today. Makes me wonder if this comes about in Pa, how soon other states will follow. For the families of Pa, I pray this doesn't go anywhere, but if it does ... YIKES.

I hope your son is okay! And, that your daughter gets over the flu quickly (and doesn't share it with anyone else). Oh goodness, that tumor does sound on the gross side. Kind of hard to imagine it being someone's favorite possession LOL

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Greenie O'Shivers, for me

That's great news, Kappy on both the surgery going so well, and the weight loss/smaller sizes

HSLDA has this posted on Facebook, and it's also on the HSLDA.org site as well under member discounts. It's super simple -- just click on the Member Discounts on the HSLDA site (link at the end of this post), and enter your email and HSLDA member number. Then, HSLDA sends you a code to enter on the SchoolhouseTeachers.com site. You get a full year of free access -- and there's a ton of stuff, from Spanish resources, to history, math, etc. Forms, planners, all sort of things. I've just started looking around, and am amazed it's such a great resource for free just for being an HSLDA member. You also have access to the digital issues of The Old SChoolhouse magazine. Just thought I'd pass it along in case others are interested in checking it out -- looks to be a very good freebie from HSLDA http://www.hslda.org/perx/default.asp?Action=MDoffer&ID=84&src=papp

Happy Birthday to your son Does he still have plans for the Olive Garden outing? Congratuations to your daughter on her license The ducks Your husband sure keeps things interesting around your house. When I read "I can't wait until they are old enough to live outside" I had the quick thought of does she mean the ducks or the husband and kids Then I saw the baby chicks are being considered by dh, and I had to smile more. He seems like a great guy -- but sure keeps things interesting!