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Welcome to the Sound Off Discussion Board, where parents from all walks of life and all parts of the world come together in one place to share their opinions and thoughts about the question of the week. Please remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion and the freedom to express it. Obscene posts are unwelcome and shall be removed from the board. Please keep in mind that this is a public board. Never post personal information that you would be uncomfortable sharing with others. Comments about this board should be sent to iParenting's Webmaster. Thank you for contributing! If you have a suggestion for the question of the week, send it to feedback@iparenting.com.

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After the scandal in Iraq about prisoner treatement, should Rumsfeld resign?

For archived topics, click here.

Saraj-the man killed was NOT a soldier but rather an ordinary citizen looking for work.
Kerri
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 23:21:52 (EDT)
I saw "The video"...I think it's safe to say that most of us want to watch it because society is pretty mastiquistic (sp?) but ofcourse, there are a few of us who will find the video absolutely appalling, and some who may even become physically ill. I watched it quite a few times and each time, I felt so bad for that handsome young soldier. I wondered if he hurt...and even if he knew what was going to happen. He was so calm...was he drugged? What were the "killers" chanting? It seemed like it could have been religious. Humans have this thing about seeing death. We are drawn to things that may lead to us witness death. It's completely normal..we want the unanswered questions about death answered. We want to be glad it is not us suffering and dying. That video is sick in a curious sort of way. I hope no one feels guilty for wanting to view it. (OR for viewing it)
I think about the victim's family...so far, every day since I watched the video. I'm mourning with them...what a waste. In fact, this entire war...what a WASTE!
Saraj
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:30:31 (EDT)
I just browse on here from time to time but wanted to leave a post for Marie!

Marie~ I was reading your post and wanted to say something. I use a home daycare and I love her. I have moved and drive about 10-15 miles out of my way to keep my girls there. And with gas prices what they are! I have used centers before and was hired off the street at one before. It was the worse job I ever had. They had cameras and the "teachers" would grab the child and smile at them and be so mean to the kids. I quit after I had said something to the director many times and nothing was done. The "teacher" I was a helper with jerked a little girl (2ish) off the bus yelling at her saying she'd walk back to daycare if she didnt shut the HELL up!!! I quit that day! Ever home daycare I have used was a very loving lady or ladies. Just look into them and follow your heart!

Trish and Rhian
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:36:23 (EDT)
Shawanda:
Well, I can't exactly blame you for not checking in on the board while you were on vacation! ;o) I had completely forgotten you were on vacation until Ellie mentioned it. I hoep you enjoyed yourself.
I have to go make gallons of lemonaid and iced tea for my dad's 65th surprise party - as well as a salad big enough for 50 people. Lots of chopping ;oP. ALso have dh's company picnic tomorrow. We will be busy. Am hoping to go riding again tonight, so I am scadooing to the kitchen.
TC
Margarita
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:59:32 (EDT)
Thanks Kerri for the kind words! I don't know who's more excited..my daughter or me! LOL! I can't wait to see the gym decorations...the junior class went all out and it is suppose to really be something to see!

I know what you mean about viewing the video as my curiousity got the better of me, but if you think it will upset you or give you nightmares, I wouldn't watch it...just know that it is really, really bad! TC!

Barb...I've got oodles of ideas for crafts to do with preteens (I was brownie and GS troop leader for several years)...just a few ideas are to make tie-dyed shirts (they have this new stuff at Walmart in the craft section that you just spray on!), macrame bracelets,tissue paper flowers, and something really popular with the girls now is to take a plain pair of cheap flip-flops and hot glue small flowers on the strap part! My daughter just made a pair for herself and a friend and their cute! I have several websites too and will post them for you later! Hope this helps some! TC!
LH
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:21:33 (EDT)
Ugh...when will I learn to proof read? I meant "it's OK to feel like you..."
Saraj
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:54:20 (EDT)
Melissa~ I hear ya! I've been with my hubby for over 15 years, I'm 32, and a mommy , yet, I STILL like to hang one on on occasion. I've really slowed down since last summer, which is good. Hubby is sweet about me going out when I want to hang out with my girls. (So, I'm lucky) He comes along once in awhile...but he doesn't like to stay out as late as I do. Sometimes I wish he'd fo out with his friends, but he's over that kind of thing completely.

It's to feel like you need a break, no matter what you want to do, don't feel bad about it, and try not to feel like you aren't "acting your age"...after all, age is a state of mind, and if you're happy, you don't need excuses. Hell, I'll be the only Harley grandma in the county. I can see it now!

;-)
Saraj
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:52:46 (EDT)
Good afternoon everyone!

LH and Barb...I am so curious about the tape...but don't know if I can stomach it...even though I work in an ER...I can only watch so much horror. All I know is what my dh told me and I think I have enough "bad" in the world to keep me busy.

LH Good luck with the prom weekend! Your daughter is lucky to have you.

Angela-how is she doing now? My prayers are with you and her family and know that she is in good hands. The military will not want to lose one of "their own".
Kerri
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:42:07 (EDT)
I need to correct that. It'a anyone under the age of 8, not 7.
Jane
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:13:34 (EDT)
I see the booster seat issue has come up. Indiana just passed a law that will go into effect in 2005. Any child under the age of 7 must be in a car seat. The sucky thing is that they are only going by age not height and weight. I know some overweight 6 year olds that would never fit into a booster seat. I wonder how these situations are going to be handled.
Jane
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:55:56 (EDT)
Barb~ Wow you started looking that soon???I am way behind then I guess.We live in New Hampshire, hopefully we wont have a hard time finding a spot. your provider sounds great. I can only hope to be as lucky in finding the "right" person for Ryan.

You sound like you already keep that 10yr.old pretty occupied all the things you listed sounds like fun for a 10yr. old she's lucky to have you!
Marie
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:13:19 (EDT)
Barb.... I have older girls. DD2 is 11. Maybe take her Roller Skating, both my girls still love that, indoor skating rink. Maybe a movie and ice cream? There are a couple good movies out right now for her age. My DD saw Mean Girls last week, its a good movie ( I suggest all preteen/teen girls go see this! )... Even going to the mall and window shop and grab a bite to eat is good quality time spent just for the 2 of you. I know at 10, my girls are very into their friends and are often having someone sleep over or are going to someone elses house! Good luck :)
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:53:42 (EDT)
Me again. I'm very chatty today, I guess. Well, it's more like it's Friday afternoon and I am so ready to start my weekend! Anyways...

A question to those with older children: can you share any fun activities (preferably outdoors) to do with a 10-year-old, and do you know any Web sites that I could find more fun stuff to do?

I’ve been a mentor to a little girl for the past four years (since she was 6 years old) and I’m running out of ideas of fun stuff to do with her. I usually meet her in her town, which is 45 minutes away, so we very rarely come back to my house for the day because that’s more driving than I want to do on a Saturday. Some examples of things we do: go to the library, go to the park (we sometimes do crafts at park tables), fly kites, go out to lunch, go to movies, run around the soccer field with a ball, go to the Goodwill, shop at Wal-Mart, etc. But now that she’s 10, I’m really losing sight of what she enjoys. I ask her all the time, but she’s usually very gracious and says things like, “Whatever you want to do.” I know her really well and feel really comfortable around her, so if anyone could give me some ideas (preferably free!), I’d appreciate it.

Sometimes I bring my daughter with me, and my hubby, too, and those days we usually do something big, like tomorrow we’ll all go to the art festival, and last time we all went to the library book fair. But most of the time it’s just the two of us. Thanks!

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:40:13 (EDT)
Marie, Angela said it best when she said that sending your baby to daycare is harder on you than him. I stressed so bad over taking my daughter to daycare! I figured numbers and did all sorts of things to see if we could afford to have one of us stay home, even just for a year or so (actually, it would’ve been my husband who stayed home since we need my insurance coverage and I get paid more).

In the end, my daughter started in a home daycare around 10 weeks old, and she’s loved it ever since. Honestly, there’ve been times when she’s away from daycare for a few weeks (when the grandparents come to visit) and I can tell she misses it… there are two babies who are almost 1-year-old, plus a 2-year-old, plus the nanny’s son, a 3-year-old, and she loves playing with them. The provider’s name is Nan, which is what my hubby and I call her, but the kids call her Ms. Nanny and her daycare is called Nanny’s Nursery, so she gets the nanny title even though it’s not a typically nanny set-up, where she would come to my house. She’s great, and though I wish it were me playing all day long, she’s a decent back-up.

I forget where you live, but in Raleigh we started our daycare search waaaay early. I was like two months pregnant when I first started visiting daycares (I looked at the centers first). We found Nan when I was five or six months pregnant and had to set it up that far in advance or else we’d lose the spot. So you might want to get looking soon.

Oooh, I your hiccup comment totally brought me back… that phase won’t last long and I never thought I’d miss it, but gosh, she’s growing up so fast! Take notes now!

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:13:52 (EDT)
Thanks Angela we have only one daycare in town as well, I know alot of poeple that use it and have been happy with them.
Marie
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:03:03 (EDT)
Thanks Lyne! yes you did seem to luck out. I have not even begun to look yet, it breaks my heart just thinking about it, but unfortunatly I need to go back for our health insurance since DH is retired. I know I know ..Why not have DH take care of him? well to be honest I dont think he could handle it, he is 58 yrs. old and him and I have totally different views on how to raise children he goes by the "old school"ways, such as let them cry it out, give them cereal before 3months ohhh and my favorite...put sugar on their binky's to cure the hic-ups!!!
Marie
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:59:17 (EDT)
Angela~ I think the reason I am able to do it still is because I am still in my 20's LOL. I will be 26 next month LOL. I did make it to work (not till 11, but I did make it!

Cherokee~ Thanks for the advice on the bread/starchy thing. I alsway eat a sub sandwhich "the day after"! LOL I am feeling somewhat better, but my head is killing me.

Saraj~ I am fine now,I just have some "issues" to work through: I am 25, newly married and some times I just get tired of being a responsible grown-up and I just want to go play like a college kid! I will be glad when I outgrow that - and so will my husband! LOL It does not bother me to be in the bars simply because most of the people in the bars I go to are even older than e! We don't have many country bars here - in fact I am not sure we have any!??? Hmmm....this is pretty much a college town (Go Gamecocks!!) so there are tons and tons of bars!!!! I am fine now and I think that I have it out of my system for a while!
Melissa
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:57:20 (EDT)
Our daughter was NIGHT trained before she finished training during the day. She was 2.5 when she was day trained, and about 100 percent dependable by her third birthday, as far as "accidents" go. Mason will be three on the 25th, and goes pee on the toilet cheerfully enough if you tell him too, but having a wet/stinky pull-up has no affect on him either. Doesn't bother him one little bit!=0) My mother says that as long as he does not go off to Yale still wearing a pull-up, not to worry about it.

Marie~We have used both. Maranda's babysitter was an in-home daycare provider, and we LOVED her! She was SO loving, and did so many neat things with the kids, and she started going to Gails at 8 weeks. We use a public daycare now, and we like this one too...granted though our town only has 1065 people in it, so everybody knows everybody, and there is enough traffic of parents in the church(where daycare is) that if anything untoward is going on...we WILL find out about it!
I think the key is to "pop-in" to different providers for visits. Don't schedule a tour, since OF COURSE they will have everything ship-shape. Call them, let them know you will be coming in for a look see, but do not nail down a time. I guarantee, ANY good provider, whether private or public is happy to accomodate visitors any time, any day....just make sure you are not popping in a meal time or during naps. Also, ask for references, and CHECK them. Finally, the best advice to give you is follow your own gut...you are a mommy now, so your instincts will tell you a lot! I've had three children, and going back to work is ALWAYS hard, but believe me if you have a good daycare...the transition is much harder on you, then it is on the baby. They adapt pretty well!
angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:52:55 (EDT)
Marie... we use in home daycare. I love it, and our sitter is so great. Maybe I just lucked out with her, but she is awsome and I have never had one issue with her at all. On the other hand, I have never used a daycare center either, so I dont know about that. We take our son to her house, he does crafts everyday. She is wonderful :) Good luck, its so important to check everything out before you send baby Ryan anywhere. Good luck :)
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:41:56 (EDT)
All 3 of my kids were PT by they were 2.5 yrs old. But, DD2 and our son wore a pullup at night for a year after that, but were fully trained ( even poopy ) during the day. They did it on their own, I guess we lucked out in the PT department!
saraj... my son had Sepsis, very very dangerous and can kill you. He was very sick, even after he was out of the hospital, he was on oral Antibiotics and wasnt allowed in daycare for 6 weeks after.
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:39:18 (EDT)
I have a question for you working moms..Do you have a sitter come to your home?use a private home daycare? or a daycare center?
I am returning to work in Sept. and am torn between daycare center or private home daycare...The private home one worries me a little becouse I'm afraid since most of these women are the only adult around they can easily ignore the children and do what they want. the daycare center worries me that the children may not get much individual attention. any input would be great!

Lyne~ Now I see your issues with the Amish!

Angela~ caffiene always made me more sick the next day. coffee would go down like broken glass.I always used to drink caffiene free diet coke.
Marie
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:34:42 (EDT)
Barb~ I'm not real sure why three of my four kids potty trained so early. My oldest son peed in his potty chair at around 2 years old but he had to poo poo in a diaper until he was almost 3. (He'd ask for a diaper on and then he'd go and hide somewhere.)

My daughter (our 2nd) potty trained very very early. We use to get a lot of questions when we were out and she's just speak full blown sentences at 10 months old. Brey was potty trained around the same time as our 2 year old. I think the secret for us is that I never made any kind of fuss about it. And it helps to have siblings who go on the potty. I always allowed the youngins' in the bathroom with me and sometimes we'd talk about going potty. I also never argue anything about it with them. If they wanted a diaper, it was on, if they didn't , it was off. No negotiating. I let them be in control of their potty-ing (a new word?)

Melissa~ what's been up? You mentioned you had a mini breakdown. I like to go out once in a while, but I am honestly feeling too old to be in a bar these days. I hate the smoke and the country music that blasts through the taverns around here. The last time hubby and I did anything, we ended up just hanging out a firned's house and talking all night. It was so much better than the bar scene. I DO like to dance, however. I wish there were some good clubs around here!

Angela! Sepsis..I'll have to look that one up. I've hear sabout it, but not sure what it is. So I assume she's doing ok? My strep test was negative. My lumpy apple seems to be better. (Still worse at night, but nore tolerable) Thanks for asking.

Cherokee~ About the booster seat thing...I just got a lecture about my 5 year old needing to be in a booster by our pediatrician. I have this terrible fear of them, however, and I can't bring myself to use one anymore. About 4 years ago, the kids and I were on the interstate and we were struck from behind by a semi. We were rushing that day to make it to a play my son was in and I didn't have time to pull my daughter's booster seat from our other car, so I just her seatbelted in. We were in my in-laws big Crown Victora <--(?) (thankfully)..but after we stopped spinning from the hit ~ I looked back and saw my daughter just sitting there , and right above her head about 1 inch was the trunk lid that had smashed through the rear windshield, like a razor blade. Had she been in her booster seat, I know she would have died. It's an intense anxiety feeling for me just thinking about using a booster seat. I realize the chances are slim that that would happen again...but I just can't shake that image and the intense relief that consumed me for a long time that we didn't have her in her booster that day.

Lyne~ Did your kids like working?






Saraj
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:31:45 (EDT)
We have quit a few Mennonite & Appastolic's here as well. They live similar to the Amish, just not as strict. You use windmills there too? We dont see that here unless its the Amish. Thats cool tho. We have a ST RT 250 than runs through the heart of Amish land, and you see kids as young as 2-3 yrs old walking ALONE on this hwy. Its heartwrenching to see. Amish children are killed all the time walking along busy roads with no adults or older kids to watch over them. Sad
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:27:34 (EDT)
Lyne~That is very true. In Mexico, they are not required either. Which is why the child mortality rate is so high. It isn't starvation, childhood disease or element exposure...it's is MVA..motor vehicle accidents. Alot of cars there aren't even equipped with seatbelts, let alone infant car seats.

My children are/were in some sort of restraint system until they were 50lbs. Maddi called hers the "rocket seat". :) And I drive a heavy duty GMC Safari. Very solid. But..not invincible. Even then, you have to be very careful with the shoulder straps. 60 minutes I think did a special on a child who was nearly decapitated (he died of course) due to improper placement of the shoulder strap. He was 6. I just see so much trauma over my career due to children/babies not being properly restrained..I'm GLAD GLAD GLAD the government in mosts states has made it law to restrain your children. Someone has to protect them. Most counties give away free car seats if you can't afford them. Mine does. That is part of the project I'm working on now...educating certain populations in Maricopa County on the importance of these safety devices.

Melissa~ heh. Hope you feel better hun...eat lots of starchy stuff (bread/potato/rice) it will absorb the alcohol. Feel better!

Has anyone seen the previews for that movie TROY? It looks interesting!

Ugghh. I'm tired today. I didn't sleep well last night, and I'm on for the 12 on/12 off for the next three nights! I need a nap this afternoon, or I will be crankipants tonight. TC everyone!


Cherokee
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:27:27 (EDT)
Angela... they are supposed to have the Orange triangles, but most dont, and they are supposed to have flashing lights on the back too, but most again dont have them. Our county is trying to empose a road tax for them to pay, and the * Swartzentruber * Amish are throwing a fit about it. They pay no taxes at all. Talk about crap! Then, every year for the 4th of July parade and the Memorial Day parade, the Amish always come to watch and NEVER, and I do mean NEVER do ANY of them stand when the Color Guard passes, or remove their hats! Talk about pissed off. They can only live the way they do because of the Military, how disrespectful! Truly pisses me off every year!
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:23:21 (EDT)
...we use windmill generated electricity here in Iowa...LOTS of wind here!

When I lived in Minnesota, we lived near large groups of Heuderites(sp?), and you would see them in HUGE groups in Pamida, and KMart. They live much like the Amish, but not SO traditionally...they DO drive cars, etc...but their belief system is pretty close. We also have a large Mennonite population in SW Minnesota, and they are pretty traditional as well.
angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:22:38 (EDT)
LOL Marie!~It would be pretty tough to be as goofy as Debra! I always thought coffee was supposed to perk you up when you were hungover? Never worked for me...it just made me feel more jittery, but other people swear by it, though I think caffeine has an even more dehydrating effect. My sister swore by eating a banana before going to bed when she was in college! I guess it worked for her...

Lyne~I'm picturing carseats for the Amish buggies! LOL! They DO have the orange triangles on the back of their buggies...We drove through Amish country on our way to Bethesda a few years ago...they do make nice quilts and furniture. Nothing we could really afford at the time though, plus we were travelling so had no room for anything anyway. I would have liked a handmade quilt though.


angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:18:52 (EDT)
Marie... Yep, huge Amish population right here where I live ( and I am NOT among them! lol )... they drive the buggies , horses crap all over the road and get on my freshly washed car! grrrr I figure, If I have to pick up my dogs crap when I take him for a walk ( have to do that or you get fined )... then WHY can the horses shit all over the place and they dont have to do squat about it? AND... they dont pay road taxes, and those buggies are hell on the road! ugh... we have to have our babies/toddlers in carseats, why dont they? They have little Amish school houses too, they go to 8th grade. People come from all over just to see the Amish here. I guess since I see them everyday, I dont get it! lol They plow the fields with horses ( like from little house on the prairie, no joke ) and no, they dont use electric or cars. They use the windmills for their water. I see them in Walmart all the time with NO shoes on! ugh... but, because of their religion, they are allowed to do it, bunch of crap if you ask me! can we say issues?? lmao They crawl on my nerves!! lol
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:18:26 (EDT)
Lyne~ the Amish live near you? is it true the dont use electricity? and they really drive those buggy's around?lol.

Melissa~ just think tommorow it will be all over!!lol just be sure to stay clear from caffiene today. booze and caffiene ewww bad mix, I feal hung over just thinking about it.
Angela~ I have been thinking of your niece all day.
my neighbor does not seem quite as pathetic as your though lol.
Marie
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:11:11 (EDT)
LH.... yup, I live in Ohio. We havent had any storms here yet, I have seen some dooseys on the radar, but they seem to skip all around us. I think we are going to get nailed today tho.
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:09:16 (EDT)
I think often times that foreigners that come here dont alot of times even use car seats. So, when they come here they dont see anything wrong with it at all. We have alot of Amish like that here. They dont use car seats ( obvisouly ) and it just pisses me off to no end to see those little kids and babies all over those buggies! grrr I have issues with the Amish! lol
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:53:05 (EDT)
amke? hummm...new word! LOL!
LH
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:44:39 (EDT)
Lyne...if I remember correctly your a fellow Buckeye too? These afternoon storms we've been having are wild...I look for it to get bad towards evening!

Melissa...we are all entitled a *mini-breakdown* every now and then! Drink lots of water to flush out anything left in your system! Hope you feel better!

Barb...potty training, LOL...been there, done that so loonngg ago! Just be patient and don't rush it and praise them when they do good and don't amke a big deal out of it when they don't! Good luck and TC!

Back to the grind....
LH
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:43:26 (EDT)
I also agree that smoking around children is a form of abuse. Car Seats as well. My son is 4, but he still sits in a booster, the seat belts dont fit him correctly and he isnt tall enough to fit in a seatbelt safely. His booster goes up to 80 lbs. We dont go to MIL house at all because its like a fog in there with all the smoke. With our sons medical issues, we dont go over. They KNOW they are not allowed to smoke in our house at all. I guess that why they dont come over. I figure, its my house and we dont allow smoking in it. I would NEVER go to someones house and ask them not to smoke, its their house. But I like our rule to be respected. I dont like to find ciggarett buts in my driveway or yard either, yuc!
Melissa... hung over are you? lol Sounds like you needed something to lift your spirits :)
saraj... good luck with the modeling stuff. My girls used to be so into that, now they would have to do a Nike or Adidas commercial for sports, no more * frillys * for them. lol
Looking like storms outside, its in the 80's today and only gonna be 62 tomorrow!! ugh.... weather in Ohio sometimes really SUCKS! lol
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:27:02 (EDT)
Cherokee, I like these tips you’ve been giving. Keep them coming!

I mean, I know it seems obvious that children should be in a car seat, but I see babies in mom’s arms in cars too frequently. Last summer I even saw a mom in the back of a pickup truck holding a baby! I was at a yard sale and someone said something to the mom about it, but she didn’t speak English, so the whole thing was dropped.

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:25:53 (EDT)
Angela~ I'm sorry to hear about your niece. You know that I am praying for you and her and her family. It sounds like she got septic as a result from her oral surgery. It can cause tissue break down in the entire body, namely the pericardium of the heart, which probably caused her to code. Kerri probably knows a lot more about it than I. When I had oral surgery, my dentist had me on antibiotics for 4 days prior. Email me!

Marie~ Maybe you will have a day in peace today! LOL

I agree smoking around children- yours or someone else's is a form of child abuse. So is not putting them in a car seat where they can launch through windows and be ejected onto the pavement, underbrush or the trunk of a tree or a telephone pole base. Seatbelts aren't enough for toddlers, regardless of the type of vehicle they are in!
Cherokee
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:18:27 (EDT)
Melissa~LOL! You partied until 3:30 and still made it to work? Wow! I was able to do that in my 20's, but now... fuggidaboudit!! If I drank until almost dawn NOW, I would probably be hungover, draggin' ass, for three days!Hee!Hee!=)

Saraj~I only got to talk to SIL for a minute or so, but it sounds like my neice had sepsis. She coded on the ship apparently, but the corpsman were able to get her stablized and on a ventilator, and now she's in the Naval Hospital. She's in good hands...the American Naval Hospital's are some of the best in the world. Scary stuff though...she's only 22. I don't know if she was on a course of pre-surgical antibiotics or not. Hey, what ever came of YOUR medical tests for your throat?
angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:09:50 (EDT)
Well, I feel like total yuuucckkk today!!! But I don't have anyone to blame but myself, that is what I get for hanging out until like 3:30 this morning drinking like a fish!!! I kinda had like a mini-breakdown last night and it is so amazing how much lighter the load feels now. I guess I needed it! LOL


Angela, I am so sorry to hear about your neice. That is terrible. I will certainly pray for her.

Saraj, wow, potty trained since 1! That is amazing. You are truly blessed to have that under your belt.

Hi's to all! I think to go eat some lunch!!! See yall later!
Melissa
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:57:43 (EDT)
Hi Saraj. Your son has been potty trained since he was 1? That’s amazing. My daughter just turned 1, and I don’t really think she’s anywhere near ready to start potty training, but I’m all ears for tips on things I can do now to prepare. I actually considered getting her a little potty seat a few weeks ago… I thought I could take her in the bathroom with me, and while I go, I could sit her on that seat to get her used to it. But then I looked around online and read that people have the best luck with the ones that attach right to the adult seat, and I haven’t bought one yet. Can you (and anyone else!) share any words of wisdom with me?

About the smoking around children: I agree that it’s awful. Both my parents smoked my whole life, and I remember complaining about the smoke and ashes as a child, to no avail. I even remember getting hit in the face with a ciggie my dad thought he tossed out the window of the car. I know things were different then… my mom says no docs ever told her to quit! But I (and my sister) had all sorts of respiratory problems growing up. We were always sick with a sore throat, and we both think it’s because our parents smoked like chimneys. We’d wake up with headaches from the smoke!

My mom still smokes, and my husband’s mom smokes, too. When they visit we set up chairs and ashtrays outside on the deck and they both go out there. My mom talks about moving here to be near my daughter so they can do fun things like my daughter can sleep over her house now and then, etc. I told my mom from the beginning that I don’t want Izzy to be in her house if she’s smoking (or her car!), so my mom agreed to smoke outside (she hasn’t moved yet, so we’ll see how that goes!). Old smokers can be so stubborn!

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:49:25 (EDT)
Angela~ I am sorry to hear about your niece, I hope she pulls through quickly!!!!

Saraj~ No neighbor sightings today, lol. good luck to your son on his audition!!!!those commercials are too cute.
Marie
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:41:32 (EDT)
Marie~ Any neighbor updates?

We don't allow smoking in our house either. Smoking around children is defintitely a form of child abuse.

Do you let people wear their shoes in your house? I'm a stickler about that. I insist on no shoes. I ever wash the dog's paws before they come in on muddy/rainy days. My kids play on our floors...I don't want feces reminance and who knows what else there waiting for them.

We got a call from one of the kids's modeling agencies a few days ago. My 2 year old has an audition to do a pull-up commercial. (He's been potty trained since 1 yr. I hope he handles it ok!) But, he said he wants to try...he says "I get money!" It's too cute! :-) The drive is forever....UGH!
If he gets it, I'll let you ladies know.

We're off to do homework now. It's rainy and dreary here today. :-(

Angela~ I hope all goes well with your neice. It sounds like she may have gotten endocaroma from her infection. (I may be spelling it wrong...) When she pulls through , I bet her doc tells her to premedicate herself with antibiotics before each dental appointment from now on. Keep us informed.



Saraj
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:22:42 (EDT)
Wendy... I heard Ca has the highest gas prices. Why I have NO idea, wish I knew!! Someone is getting rich off of all of us, I know that!! ugh...
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:18:35 (EDT)
Ang I will be thinking of Ashley. How terrible!! She will be in my thoughts and prayers
Wendy
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:04:37 (EDT)
Wow you all have cheap gas. LOL here where I live in Ca its 2.29 for the cheap stuff. Its up to 2.91 in some areas for the good stuff. WHAT IN THE WORLD!!! Looks like no vacation any time soon for us!
Wendy
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:03:40 (EDT)
ANGELA,
How scarey !! My son leaves for bootcamp on Monday, and we told that if they had adjustments that need to be made that they would take care of all that the first week the boys arrive,, so he will be seeing a dentist or oral surgeon most likely to get his wisdom teeth pulled.... I will be praying for her recovery,, please keep us up to date......
Fatima
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 11:27:12 (EDT)
OMG, angela, that is just awful! i'm so sorry. and i will pray right now for Ashley. keep me posted...
j-mo mama
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:53:27 (EDT)
Angela, I’m sending good thoughts to your family (and to you, too). Good luck to your niece!

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:50:32 (EDT)
Angela... prayers are with you all. I hope shes okay. How awful and scary.
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:27:26 (EDT)
Barb.... I live in Ohio. Yesterday AM on my way taking the girls to school, it was 2.00 gallon, then on my lunch ( a whole 4 hours later ) it was down to 1.95 gallon, then last night ( 4 hours later ) its 2.06 gallon. Its still 2.06 this AM too. Assholes!!
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:26:01 (EDT)
Some of you may know that my DH is a 20 year plus Navy man. My niece is 22 years old and proudly stationed aboard the USS Reagan. My SIL just called to let me know my niece got a horrible infection due to wisdom teeth being cut out, and went into cardiac arrest last night. She has been airlifted by rescue chopper off the ship, and is at the Naval Hospital in Portsmith. She is stabilized right this minute, but her mother and dad (my brother and SIL) are absolutely terrified. I know none of you know Ashley, but she is just a 22 year old kid that loves her country, and serves is proudly...she could use your prayers. Thanks.
angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:24:59 (EDT)
Lyne, where do you live? It’s $1.91 here in Raleigh for unleaded.

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 10:14:17 (EDT)
Good Friday ladies :) Well, I have to agree. While I feel bad for Berg's family, and while his death, and especially the manner of his death or unacceptable, he really was taking a HUGE risk going there, and especially alone. I felt the same way about the Daniel Pearl death. Definatly NOT justified at all, but, why in the hell would you risk your life, and especially knowing you have a baby coming to go into a place like that?? STUPID! You cant blame the Govt for it, it was just plain stupid for doing it in the first place. Berg was told to leave more than once, and he kept checking into more Hotels, certainly he knew the risks of being there, especially afer repeatedly being told to leave. I feel for the familys, but really, he shouldnt have been there in the first place.
Can you believe gas prices?? Holy crap! Its 2.06 here a gallon, for the cheapy unleaded stuff!! This is insane, really!! ugh...
Lyne
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 09:59:51 (EDT)
Barb~Well, I guess the money is his now to spend on whatever he wants to spend it on, slobber and all.
angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 09:52:47 (EDT)
Thanks for the recap, Angela. Wow, Boston Rob made it to the top four? I guess I wasn’t THAT far off! I’m glad I missed it… I don’t think I could’ve stomached Rupert slobbering all over the place. I hope he shares that money with the kids he works with, like he said he would.

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 09:40:39 (EDT)
Barb~The final four picked to get the 1 mil. were Boston Rob, Rupert, Big Tom, and Cody. They had some Best of Survivor clips then...Best Fight, Best Villain, Sexiest Man, Sexiest Woman, etc...
angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 09:14:58 (EDT)
Good morning ladies....

I had never heard of HardAttackNews before, but now I see where they get their name. That video was horrifying. I know intellectually that many Iraqi people DO want our help, and they want to raise their kids in a decent/safe atmosphere, just like the rest of us. Emotionally, when I see things like that video I feel like telling that country..Fine, you're on your own, here is your crummy country back, and good luck. Don't come crying to the U.S. when it turns to $h*t again. I really do think though, that the animals in that video are in the minority. I hope so anyway.

Kerri~LOL! You know, Jake scanned Dayton's picture when he scanned the other two kids, but hers did not come out at all! He thinks the colorful/butterfly background was too *busy*. We don't have a digital camera, so when we send pictures we have to scan them first, then email them. Anyhoo~I was saying yesterday that we are taking all three of them in for a portrait probably next month. I want a nice, natural light, portrait of them while they are still small. Then, I will INUNDATE all of your email boxes with their pictures since we will have the photographer put the proofs on disk. So, upgrade your pc memory everybody! LOL! I think little Dayton is going through teething again too...lots of bad diapers, and a very red tushie. Plus, she is just fussy, fussy, fussy which is unusual for our little happy skoodlebug. She will be crying, and then it is like she is really TRYING to be a good girl, and she will smile for us. That little tear stained smile just twists our hearts! And to think we were not even supposed to be able to conceive her...I cannot imagine our world without her now!

Marie~Wow! Sounds like your neighbor is a Mrs. Kravitz on meth. She sounds pretty spooky. The weirdo that followed me home that one day was really attentive to our kids, plus I was pregnant with Dayton at the time. She has no children of her own, and once Dayton was born she always wanted to babysit. Not the two older ones, just Dayton. Jake NEVER forbids me to do anything, but in that instance he said he forbid me to let this loon babysit Dayton(duh, like I would anyway!) He thought she was one of those weirdos who would disappear with her and raise her as her own! At first I felt sorry for her, and just thought she was really lonely, and kind of pathetic. After a while she just got spooky...when Dayton was only five days old, Jake had to go to Kansas City for training, which sucked. Anyway, I am a military spouse, and I am used to being pretty self sufficient. It was REALLY hard having a five day old(after a C-section at that) a just turned two year old, and a seven year old all by myself, but I managed. As with any new mother though, you need to sleep when you can, and I ended up unplugging the phone because this lady was calling almost every hour to see if I needed anything. That sucked too because people I WANTED to talk too, friends & family calling with well wishes for the baby, could not call either. I finally had to tell her, I needed to be left alone! Maybe your neighbor has a crush on your husband? LOL.=)

Margarita~We don't have any water by our house here, but we are surrounded on three sides by cornfields, and the road is on the fourth side with a soybean field past that. At least once a summer we see the rescue choppers in the air because a little one wandered into a cornfield! Once they get in there too, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to find them...the corn distorts sound, and even if you hear the child you really cannot tell what direction it is coming from, or how many rows you are away. More than one child has died from exposure, and heat exhaustion getting lost in the fields. We DO have a creek bed that originally rant under the dairy storage area of the barn(remember in the old days, they would store dairy in a cool room because they did not have refrigeration) but it only actually has free running water after a heavy rain, then we have to be careful of that too. The kids are not allowed in the barn alone anyway...but kids DO explore too.

J-MoMama~Thank you! That was really nice to read! =)

Cherokee~How did your on call night go? Have you found even if you DON'T get called in, you still cannot sleep worth a hoot because you spend the entire night ANTICIPATING your beeper going off? LOL!

Well, I better run....have a super TGIF all!


angela
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 09:11:09 (EDT)
You were all right about Rupert winning the million. Blah! I missed the show last night… will someone recap for me? Anything interesting happen?

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 08:59:49 (EDT)
Kerri, my husband watched the video of the beheading, too. I decided not to watch; I have enough nightmares about this war as it is. He said he thought he was going to be sick for hours after watching it and he wishes he hadn’t seen it. I agree with you about that guy – he shouldn’t have been there. Not a very smart move. I read that in addition to being warned to leave (and ignoring it), he was known to travel all around by himself (another bad move). I hate what happened to him, and I feel awful for his family. I can’t imagine what kind of person it takes to saw a man’s head off.

That Daniel Pearl murder really hit a nerve with me. Maybe I was overly emotional because I was pregnant then, but I followed that story very close, and when I heard that he was murdered… oh, it was awful. I have a journalism degree, and while I never picture myself traveling into wars to cover news, I appreciate those who do… they’re the reason we see what’s really happening and not just what the government says is going on. Only a monster would do such an atrocious thing to a person who’s only interest was to write fairly about what he saw.

Barb
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 08:53:23 (EDT)
Hi Shawanda...I'll bet you didn't see my reply to your last post as it kinda' got buried in the mess...anyways, I have a friend who married an Italian girl while he was stationed in Italy...when he brought her back home to the states, I was intrigued by her clothing, although it was abit 'off the wall' for my own tastes!(LOL!)She told me that the Italians were about 2-3 years ahead of the Americans in clothing styles and that that was about the length of time it took the same style to show up here in the states!

Margarita...That site I listed (HardAttackNews) is known for their "in your face" articles and also had the Daniel Pearl murder video...I would HATE to think that my daughter(or any child for that matter!) would come accross that video and view it! It was so awful, Margarita, I just can't believe how unhuman those men are and that they are still walking free out there...somewhere..(scary)...I wish I had never viewed it now as I keep getting flashes of it even though I try not to think about it.
LH
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 07:26:14 (EDT)
Margartia,

Thanks for the book. I got it when I returned to Germany. I relaly didn't think to check the Iparenting board while on vacation.

Misty-

How was your baby girl's b-day. Saturday it rained so bad on May 1st. Honey, that didn't stop me from getting my hair cut. I cut it all off and I do mean all. I had to go way to the Northside by Greenspoint in all that rain. I hope everything went well for your daughter's b-day party. Sorry, we didn't get to meet. I don't think that 1 week or so is long enough to do everything that I wanted to do. :) I had to get me some of that good ole' Texas Bar-b-que though and crawfish ! Yippy!

Well, hello to all! I hope that you all have a wonderful day!

Oh! You know what I've notice? The styles that are worn here are also being worn in the states. Yet, I haven't seen anyone that dress as good as the Italians. Hubby and I are going to Tuscany and Rome in a month or so. I didn't do much shopping in the states because the styles aren't that different. As a matter of fact, the Germans are more daring in their dress. Honey, they'll put anything together, and the accessories are "off the hook" (I learned that one from my son-cute huh?)

Well, take care ladies :).

Shawanda
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 05:41:17 (EDT)
LH - OMgoodness! Why would any responsible web site make that available? How do they know that children aren't watching it. That is so gross.
My horseback riding skills are a ways off from amazing - I am re-learning after a very long absence! LOL. I have owned my own horses now for 7 years, but haven't gotten around to training the two youger ones and rode only my old one until she was too arthritic to ride any more.
Time for bed - dd is really struggling to stay asleep tonight. =/
Margarita
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 02:56:38 (EDT)
Hi Kerri...I saw your post and I just had to comment...I saw that video tonight of the beheading. I don't know why I thought I could just watch it and not get upset, but I did and I found myself crying and saying OH MY GOD over and over...it was the most horrifying thing I have ever seen! The men who did that need to be found and brought to justice, although I am sure they have already reserved a place in hell for them! I was checking out a site that I visit often called HardAttackNews and there was a link to click on to view the video and warnings that it was explicit.

Margarita...I finally just got to your email! I guess those sort of after-prom parties are quite popular now with the kids...I can't help but to think that these kids moms who must be "wandering through motherhood" or something can not see what kind of an example they are seting for their kids! Thank you for the kind words though! :-) We will be sending the boys home around 3am or so and the girls can stay for breakfast! LOL! You amaze me with your horseback riding! I will have to tell youa little story about me and horses sometime! (*wink!)LOL!
TC and nitey-nite!
LH
Friday, May 14, 2004 at 01:04:01 (EDT)
Good evening all,
Hope everyone is doing well.
Cherokee-I have been working days this week for a gal on vacation and I have ACLS tomorrow, so I have been trying to review the "changes" since last time. Amiodarone seems like the new kid on the block this time, huh? And bye bye bretylium! How are things going with you?

Angela...still waiting also for the pics of Dayton! ;)

LH-Thanks for sharing your message.

Found this interesting...the father of Nicolas Berg, the American who was brutally decapitated, is now blaming President Bush and Donald Rumsfeld for his murder...and suing the government! Apparently Nick was warned many times by the American government there to leave Iraq. He actually went as far as telling them he would catch a flight out of Kuwait and onto America...only to leave one hotel and walk into another one a few blocks away. Can we say "IDIOT"? How ignorant are people?
I am in no way saying he deserved what happened, but rather stating it is ridiculous for his father to blame President Bush.
I am sick of the media saying it is because of the pictures...and I ask...this is comparable to what our military did by taking pictures? The pictures were wrong, no doubt about it, but this as retaliation is just nuts. Goes to show what a "civilized" society looks compared to a bunch of loons calling themselves "men".
My husband watched the video via email that was sent to him from a fellow military friend...I refused to watch it, but I guess the men who were behind the murderers on the video tape were shouting "God is great" and some other Islamic chants...I find it hard to believe they worship the same God as I...plus, they used a saw to cut off his head and started posteriorly, or in the back. Causing it to take longer for death to result hence more of a torturous death. It sort of makes the guillotine look humane don't you think? And don't forget the reporter that was murdered last year also. That is one sick and messed up nation...
Kerri
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 23:51:16 (EDT)
J-mo,Margarita~Thanks for your posts I will most certain do an alarm of some sort...DH is a retired bar owner so he knows how to set up alarms.
AND just to keep you guys updated..... DH came home from golfing and my neighbor and her husband were both here to welcome him as well.HELP!!!!
Marie
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 23:45:50 (EDT)
Misty~ Hi! I got your email this evening. I'd like to answer some of your questions, however, I am hesitant to reply to your email because your IP addy was forged. I'd be happy to give you the info here...but if you are uncomfortable with this...maybe we can go through Wendy. Please know that I am only playing it extra safe since Ellyn has sent me her viruses...(which were caught before they did any damage, thankfully.)

(Hmm, I wonder if her state job knew she was emailing on their time and on their pc?)

Anyway, as much as I want to reply, please understand.

----------------

Today was great! :-) I have some work to do online...and then to bed. Still no word form the doc...no news is good news!

Good night everyone.
Saraj
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 23:36:23 (EDT)
Marie - we have a creek on our property, so I know how you feel. You have some time before you have to worry about it, though, until he's crawling. We are all over dd when we are outside. We close the gate across the driveway so we don't have to worry about someone coming down our drive, and just concentrate on making sure she doesn't go near the creek. Even if she didn't want to go in, if she was out and our puppy was running free, he could always knock her into it if she was wandering around close to it - so we just keep close to her.

Well, my knee is still hurting but I did manage to go for a trail ride tonight with 2 friends. LOL it was a bit tricky getting on and off, since it is my mounting leg, but once on it was a piece of cake! ;o) One of my friends just started boarding her horses here, and she barrel races... boy can she ride!

Well, good night ladies!
Margarita
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 23:26:59 (EDT)
Thanks J-mo!! I think I may have to do that.
Marie
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 23:01:57 (EDT)
Ummmm I have never been attacked before .....whine whine...whine

Marie
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 22:59:01 (EDT)
hi all!

MARIE, ignore that stupid comment made by ".". about your son and the water, make sure you get all sorts of door alarms etc. so that you'll know if ryan ever tries to venture out on his own! you're ok till he starts running around exploring!

can i brag for a second? my almost 3 year old is SO good at puzzles. she does puzzles for ages 6 and up and can do them faster than me! i'm dead serious. when she was like 1 1/2, she was doing puzzles for 3 yr olds. it's so weird!! maybe she's going to be extremely creative, which would be strange considering her father and i aren't very artistically inclined! it just amazes me! maybe her imaginary friend "trina" is helping her a little!

ANGELA, it's funny b/c when the venom spouters post about how awful you supposedly are, it only makes your REAL friends (myself included!) laugh and reaffirm how GREAT of a friend you actually are! pure jealously, me thinks! lol!

BARB, you don't know who pollyanna is? it is a good movie, a classic that i grew up on. i've got it on dvd now and my baby girl loves pollyanna already!

have a great nite ladies! (and oscar and marc!)
j-mo mama
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:18:16 (EDT)
marie-grow some sack and tell your neighbor off already. we are sick of your whining.
.
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 19:05:37 (EDT)
Hi Guys!
Ryan and I went to my school today for our visit. It was nice seeing all the kid's again and how "big" they have got! They adored Ryan.

Cherokee~ thanks for posting about keeping kid's safe from the open waters. We live right on a lake and many people ask me how I am going to keep Ryan away from it, honestly there is no way to keep him away, I will have to watch him like a hawk and make it always clear that by no means is he to go near the waters edge or on the dock without an adult right there.( I know sounds easier than done )

As for my pesty neighbor....did not show up today again! I am almost wondering if she has been lurking on here the last day or so, I have told her once about this site! ok ok ok now I'm getting the creeps.
Marie
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 18:45:14 (EDT)
LOL Kristy~Click on Babies Today just like you usually do. When the Babies main page comes up, there will be a long box on the upper right hand part of that page (with a light blue background.) Click on "Communities." When that page opens, you should see the link for Mom's Talk. Good Luck. =)
angela
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 16:30:22 (EDT)
Ok I must be a dork today because I dont understand!! I cant find it. Please help! Oh incase you missed it babiestoday link!
Kristy
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 16:09:28 (EDT)
>Julie/Jane~ so..how many times have you been banned? I was curious as to how you get around that ISP ban thingie...are you a hacker? Pretty cocky comments from someone who gets kicked off herself so much.

I haven't had to hack anything. I've been using the same computer this whole time except for when I was at the library for that one week. iParenting hasn't banned me or kicked me off of anything.
Jane
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 15:43:02 (EDT)
Kristy~LOL! I know, they changed the familiar link to the 2 under 2 Board.=) Go to the Babies Main Page, then click on "Communities" in the upper-right part of the page....then you will see the link to the BT Board.
angela
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 15:35:34 (EDT)
How do I get to babiestoday board? The one like this? The main page has been changed and I can't get there anymore!
Kristy
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 15:15:50 (EDT)
Margarita...sorry you are having such a bad day hun! Sounds like mine! I swear I think my pharmascist is trying to kill me! This is the second time in a month that he has tried to give me something stronger than what I usually take...same label, different pills inside! JEEZ! I had to run all the way back in town to get it straightened out! GrRRrRR! And my dog just threw up all over the kitchen floor! What next? Do you usually have problems with your knee? Try not to overdo it!

Cherokee...was that the link I posted with the "trailer" to The Day After Tomorrow that you watched? Looks like a damn good movie, huh? We opened up our pool this past wknd and put the chemicals in and its ready to swim in...not real warm yet as my daugher already found out, LOL! BrrRRR!

The beheading video they keep showing on the news is making me sick as well and angry...I think its time to switch to HGTV while I fold up the laundry! God, I feel for those parents!
LH
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:35:33 (EDT)
Dallas - your friend deserves what she got. I don't think harming any human being is funny and to make a joke out of it is total disrespect. Clare is one of the reasons the world looks so badly on Americans.

I don't think it's funny at all and I am apalled that you do. I guess I had you pegged wrong.
Misty
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:25:49 (EDT)
Dallas -

Nice use of self-restraint. I don't know if I could have kept myself from wringing her neck!

Ellie
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:22:10 (EDT)
Meant to say - dh had considered going over to work in Iraq for 6 months or so because the money is so good. With what he could have earned, we could have made real headway with our debts. I told him I didn't want him there though, and he decided to stay here - thank goodness. That might sound selfish considering our troops are at risk eery day, but I can't change how I feel.

Cherokee - it sounds as if he did have some info on it before it became public. But, I still don't think he should resign at this point, no reason the public needed to know about it IF he was using that time productively to try to put an end to it.
Margarita
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:17:24 (EDT)
Oh the problems of being overweight.
I stayed home today from school because a) dd has been REALLY complaining about going to school each day and I thought the break might do her good, and b) my community has a spring clean up next weekend and there are things I want to do to get ready for it & I won't have time to this weekend (my siblings and I are throwing dad a 65th surprise bash).. so I was going up and down the attic stairs and stepped down wrong - my knee that has been bothering me jolted me. SO, as if that weren't enough, I decided to grin and bear it and went back up stairs to do some more work. Then dd needed something, so down the stairs I come, and have to go through a narrow spot because I have several boxes of files for work sitting ont he attic stairs for easy access. I did the same darn thing again. Now I am just resting with my leg out straight because that is the only way it feels comfy. If it feels better in the next hour or so, dd and I are going to do pilates like usual. I am sure if I lose more weight and build up the muscle around it more, it will be ok. Does anyone else here do pilates? I am really hoping the knee gets it together ;o) there is alot I had planned to do today.
Margarita
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:12:43 (EDT)
I read that too Angela. I guess in my mind, there is no money worth going into a place like that. I have also read conflicting stories too. I do hope for the family closure they get all the information that is due them. How horrible, just horrific. And, all of this media attention cant help Im sure. Everywhere you go you see his picture with those animals and whenever your turn the tv on, they are talking about it ( unless its on cartoon network! )... my babies are my babies, even when they are old and grey. My heart aches for his family.
Lyne
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 14:05:29 (EDT)
Lyne~I think he was there to work on the new Communications Towers. You remember after the first Gulf War a lot of guys were going to Iraq to work on the oil fires? Anyhoo...that was dangerous, hot, dirty work, but the MONEY was great! I'm wondering if this young Berg guy was working for a construction firm for just that reason...it is dangerous, but maybe the good money was worth it? There are conflicting stories about who saw him and when...the FBI is saying they offered to fly him home because Iraq was too dangerous for him, his parents are saying otherwise. I guess in the end it does not matter....what a horrific way to die, and my heart hurts for his mother and father! No matter how old they get, they are our babies, and to lose a child is the worst of heartbreaks.


angela
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 13:54:27 (EDT)
What I dont understand about the American that was beheaded. WHY would you go there, on your own accord? he wasnt in the Military. You are definalty taking your life into your own hands doing something so.... stupid! Not that it makes it right, by all means, that is HORRIFIC what the Iraqui's did to him, horrible beyond words. But WHY would you even consider going there in the first place??
Dallas.. Im sure glad your lil baby is okay now! I would forbid her from handling the baby ever again!! ugh...
Lyne
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 13:29:38 (EDT)
Angela- Yeah, it was a good thing that Mom was there. If not, my kid would be dead, and so would my aunt, because I'd take that bitch out with my bare hands.

Funny side note about the abuse scandal thing. I just found out that my friend, Clare, who was awaiting discharge in Germany, re-enacted those pictures with some barracks mates, just for a laugh.

The military changed the status of her discharge from honorable to dishonorable, took away her disability and all her benefits, and she is now back in Atlanta. Sheesh. It was a joke, for crying out loud. I told her they should have put a disclaimer at the bottom of their pictures: "No actual Iraqi's were harmed in the making of these pictures."
Dallas
email: shortbiscuit83@aol.com
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 13:19:45 (EDT)
Dallas~It is a really good thing your mom was there to *fish* William out of the tub huh? I always have made sure my kids are bathed so babysitters don't do it too...the bathtub is just such a dangerous place for babies, especially with people who are not used to bathing little munchies anymore. They are wiggly, slippery, and wobbly and require a lot of safe handling. You were lucky this time...I would not leave him with that sitter again. Scary.

My husband smokes too, and I am a "reformed" smoker who has quit. It is not healthy, but it is certainly not illegal, so I leave Jake alone about it and make sure he keeps his life insurance updated(no joke!). Nagging certainly would not make a smoker quit anyway. He NEVER smokes in the house, nor in the van, and he has always made sure to wash any smoke or nicotine off his hands before feeding the children, or handling baby bottles. Hey, you are grown and if you want to smoke, it is certainly your right to do so...as long as nobody vulnerable is inhaling your second hand smoke the PC let's jump on the smoker people can pack sand.
angela
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 12:58:06 (EDT)
Ugh. I don't think Rumsfeld should resign over this bullshit. I think the people directly involved should be court-martialed and dishonorably discharged from the military. What they did was in direct violation of the Geneva Convention, and they should pay the price for what they did...not Rumsfeld. I think his resignation would be appropriate only if he knew about the humiliation before any of these pictures even surfaced, and just chose to do nothing about it.

Now- On to the American civilian who was brutally murdered in Iraq....You know, I hate to admit it, but crap like this makes me want to say (pardon the oncoming profanity) "Fuck it. Kill them all and let God sort them out." How do you justify this? Yes, the troops humiliated some of the insurgents' "homies", but how can you justify that with the death of an innocent American civilian? Grrr.

I could kill my aunt. She and my uncle are visiting my mother here in Atlanta and...MAN...I just want to strangle her. Last night, DH and I went out for a little while for about an hour and a half. The kids were left at my Mom's. While we were gone, my aunt took it upon herself to bathe my child. When I got back to pick up the kids, my aunt hurried into the back room and my mother asked me to come out and have a cigarette. (Yes, I smoke, yes, I know it's bad. Shhh..) She told me that while my aunt was bathing William, the baby just happened to "slip" beneath the surface of the water and almost drowned. My aunt "panicked" and just ran out of the bathroom screaming. My mother went in and picked the baby up. Luckily, he wasn't under for long, and was a little waterlogged still after I got there (I've been checking his ears, I'm afraid there's water caught in there) but he's okay now.

I just wonder what the hell my aunt was thinking? I told my mother to keep that (sorry, this is pretty racist and profane, but I was angry last night) "goddamn rice-eating chink bitch" away from my children or I'd kill her. I did find out later today that my uncle damn near put her head through the wall. :D Apparently the same shit happened to me when she was bathing me as an infant. Coincidence? Hmm...


And to whomever has a problem with people wanting to smoke in their house- I feel ya on that. My husband and I both smoke, but we don't smoke in the house. We keep a small can on the porch, and we smoke out there. It's usually pretty windy outside where we're at, so we get aired out pretty well at the same time. We have chairs and stuff outside, so the friends of ours who smoke know they can go hang out on the porch and be comfortable. And that's how we keep our house smoke free.

*sigh*

So what's everyone been up to? And please don't tell me the drama's starting again, lol...The last topic was so nice, we were all getting along. ;)
Dallas
email: shortbiscuit83@aol.com
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 12:46:45 (EDT)
Marc~These are things I always knew/suspected about Angela...thanks for confirming it. Unfortunately, there are "some people" here who only want to see the bad in someone (several actually) and they will always do that, no matter what you say. They are unhappy snots who REFUSE to recognize anything in people they feel threatened by. LOL..in fact, the better you make that person look, the more tiny and insecure certain people on this board will be. And...there a couple of women who have serious inferiority issues here. They have no jobs/careers, just kinda wander through motherhood if you know what I mean. They are just jealous. Sad, really. LOL..They just turn up their noses "sniff! I'm ignoring YOU". Good..more room for me I say. :0)

I remember when I first started posting here several months ago, I noticed Angie as a *bit* LOL abrasive, but I always looked through what she was saying. To figure out why, KWIM I "get" her, and I'm glad and PROUD to be friends with her. I admire people, especially WOMEN, of strength, who take on tough situations, who champion children, instead of taking the PC high road. She has a hard job, I see that first hand working in an ER..and I have tremendous repect for her. You are lucky to have her as her mentor, and I am glad you are a man of character and have her back - she is lucky as well. I have seen Angela be very compassionate...when I nearly lost my ovary to a tubal pregnancy, she emailed me every day, encouraging me, being a friend, and I have had a couple of other early miscarriages as well..she has been a good friend. BTW..just because you are a guy doesn't mean you can't post here. Testosterone is welcome anytime. ;0)

Julie/Jane~ so..how many times have you been banned? I was curious as to how you get around that ISP ban thingie...are you a hacker? Pretty cocky comments from someone who gets kicked off herself so much. But just keep it up...you'll end up in the same boat again, and again, and again. Freak. I DO feel very sorry for your children. WAYYYY unstable mama.

Barb~ Hey! I started watching this "program" last night, I thought it was a real show..and I was totally digging it..a flood through New York City..and I was very PISSED when I realized it was just a very long trailer advertising "The Day After Tomorrow"...I can't wait till it comes out! It looks good.

Well, I 'm off to clean the leaves out of the pool...it got pretty windy last night, the pool is a mess. During the winter we have a cover, but now that we are using it, we keep it off..pain in the butt keeping it clean. Just getting through the gate is like Fort Knox.

Later,



Cherokee
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 12:37:08 (EDT)
I was making a point that anon posts that were mean in context are not and will not be tolerated here any longer. I said to "ha ha" to be nice and to keep it clean. S/he is welcome to post here as long as it doesn't get ugly. That also goes for everyone. This board is not to bash one another, its for debating. I am no longer the only one watching this board. Just an FYI
Wendy
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 12:07:51 (EDT)
Cherokee - I just wanted to add: yes, a VA loan is great as long as you are getting a new house in an approved area. VA loans are a pain in the keester here, but I am sure they are not that way everywhere. ANYHOW, banks/mortgage companies can STILL sharge an inflated rate to get rebate... if you are told about this and accept it, great, but otherwise you are getting ripped off. I can't check banks who carry their own paper - well the big ones I can but we use their wholesale rates which are different than what they offer anyhow - their rates are retail and the rates we use are wholesale. Anyhow, if you use a mortgage company and are suspicious that they are inflating your rate - you should ask them! If you want, you can tell me what bank they are using and I can look for you, most banks give the same rate sheets to most states with exception of Ca. I see rates from WaMu, Wells Fargo, US Bank, B of A, Commonwealth, Counrtywide... just to name a few. Most loan officers, includingmyself, will round the rate up to the nearest 1/8th (makes paperwork much easier) but many people I have worked with brag about how much they make in rebate - sometimes more than the origination fee. Makes sense if the borrower doens't have money for closing costs and they are aware of what is going on, but many times it is just a bonus to the L.O. Meanwhile, it costs the borrower thousands of dollars over the term of the loan.
Margarita
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 12:02:34 (EDT)
Angela - ok, ok, you are the bona fide Kenny Chesney know it all ;o). I LOVE that song. I first heard it when the pastor at our church used it to set an example for the sermon he was about to deliver. A woman in our church had lost her husband to a car accident just several months prior (leaving behind 4 kids, one who was only 2) so it really hit home.

Ok, for the record - since Angela seems to be on the block: I know she doesn't need me to say this, but I am going to anyhow. Angela has always treated me well here, even when letting me know in no uncertain terms that she doesn't agree with me. There ARE times that I don't agree with what she has to say, or who she says it about, but hey we are two different people so that shouldn't come as any surprise.

LH - I did get your email. Thanks for the warm wishes. I'll reply in a bit to let you know how my sister has tactfully handled the same sort of request for those type of parties from my 16 yr old niece. Having teenagers can be difficult, and I am not looking forward to it ;o). Sounds like you and dh do a great job, though... you probably don't need my help to make a good choice!

Time to go!
Hello to everyone and welcome back from your vacation Shawanda! Have you received your book yet?
Margarita
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:53:48 (EDT)
Pernounced???? My boss would die if she saw that.
Misty
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:47:59 (EDT)
Angela - I guess you are right about being fair across the board, but you have to admit a little heat is fun now and then as long as it stays clean and safe. I guess the only reason I don't think Ha-Ha should be blocked "yet" is because you, Oscar, Saraj and I all could get blocked if we get in a heated arguement. As they say, history repeats its self so we probably haven't heard the last of ha-ha, julie and the blank one.

What are you planning for Litte Miss' b-day party? Audrey got some great gifts. She got the cutest Winnie the Pooh patio set. It's 2 folding chairs with a table and umbrella. I set it up in the living room the other night and she sat there with her feet on the stand eating her do-do's (pernounced with a long o) They are cheerios or whatever else I give her like cheerios. LOL

Misty
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:37:20 (EDT)
HELLO E-FREINDS,,,,,

gosh it seems like I haven't posted in a while,,, just to give an update and so that you can sure in my whinning...My SIL had her surgery yesterday and looks like they got all the cancer, like most of you know she had to have a double masectomy(sp). But her spirits are great! We asked her how she was doing and she answered "like a 15 y/o" and we all started laughing,,, now we just have to wait to make sure her body doesn't reject her temporary inplants, and than in two weeks they real things go in...Bless her heart she was in so much pain, but otherwise looked very good.....
And count down is at 4 days left for my son to leave for the U.S. Marines,,, Wow! I can't believe how time flew by so fast.......
And as far as my issues with son #2, well that is still not to good, he hardly speaks to me and when he does it's very short.... I am trying to break the ice by getting into his graduation events, but it hasn't been easy...Prom is this weekend and he is going with some friends, instead of a date, and that's okay, I'm just glad he is not missing out.....
So you can only imagine how my emotions are on a roller coaster ride,,,, Poor Misty and the rest of my co-workers having to put up with me..Thanks Misty!!!!!

Fatima
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:34:44 (EDT)
Yep, I said I'd be using a different name a while ago and I have. By the way those dumbass posts written by "Julie" were not written by me. Nor where the no name posts written by me. IParenting is free to check the IP addresses if they want. When I wrote that I would never post using the name Julie, I meant it.

Don't worry, you won't get any of my hysterics. This board has more than enough "hysteria" going on. The only thing that has changed on this board is that things have gotten more personal. People are actully digging up real life info on others and that is scary as hell.

IParenting, people's REAL LIVES are getting dragged into this. I thought you let it go too far before, but this is freakin' insane!
Jane
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:11:53 (EDT)
LH: Don't be so defensive. Do I not have the right to post an opinion just because you may disagree with it? Angie did not dig me up from anywhere, I have been here for a while and have a pretty good take on the person you are as well. Not a good one judging by the way you just attacked me.
Marc
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:09:44 (EDT)
Oh and one more thing before I start my busy day...I would like to still continue to have the friendly conversations that I have been having with several here...I do think it is a shame that it often turns nasty here very quickly and sometimes will add my opinion on that which is everyones right here! I have also decided to skip over or ignore some posts that I find upsetting and hope that others understand that that is just my way of trying to stay "neutral" as I have found it very unproductive to "beat a dead horse" so to speak!

Hope ALL have a good Thursday! TC!
LH
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:07:52 (EDT)
Hi Misty, what's a Mother's Day Bouquet?

Barb
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 11:07:17 (EDT)
Marc...apparently your a fan? Well goodie for you! However, I don't know Angie and can only judge her by what I have seen here on the board and by the way that she treats others which is mean-spirited and ugly!(and sometimes bordering on "obsessive behavior"!) And you are wrong about me wanting THAT kind of person around my child...matter of fact, THOSE are the kind of "parents" I ask that she stays away from! I do not know who this "HA HA" person is, but had only asked that they use their real name for honestys sake...if you want to read something else into that, then that is your problem and not mine! After the way I watched Angie try to flame an argument out of both Saraj and myself yesterday, she is on permanent "iggy" from me...In case you hadn't noticed I don't go for that sort of thing and I don't dig up people to come here to post about what a "wonderful" human being I am either, so you can just refrain from anymore of your personal misquotes about me as I will be ignoring you as well!


LH
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 10:58:58 (EDT)
LOL! I see the Mother's Day Bouquets ALL over the place, since I post on three boards AND follow the Baby Daily Calendar but I have not been collecting them! I thought the contest was over since Mom's Day was over, and they just had not taken the bouquets off the site yet! Duh for me I guess! =0)

BTW~Good luck when you contact the webmaster with any issues here...if he/she bothers to give you the courtesy of a reply, you ARE a special chipmunk indeed!
angela
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 10:58:42 (EDT)
Misty~Hey girl! Little Miss will be a big girl one year old on June 10th. Yay! and Sniffle! at the same time! Oh...as far as this HaHa person. To my understanding one person was blocked from this site for posting as ">>>>>" and another was blocked for posting as "LOLOLOL". My opinion, and I emailed Wendy about it is this...IParenting needs to be fair across the board then...hence, HaHa popped in last night, and did "." simply to fuel the fire so to speak. Then, they should be blocked too, right? Actually, if Iparenting is going to continue blocking ISP's, then they need to post consistant guidelines as to when or why they will do this. You can't just be in a snit one day, block a bunch of posters, then the next day blow off people doing the same thing you know? I THINK that is where Wendikins is coming from...but I know she can speak for herself! =)
angela
Thursday, May 13, 2004 at 10:55:37 (EDT)