Chat & Greetings 2007

Catherine - Oct 1, 2007 3:18 am (#2518 of 2984)

Hubby said we could move into an apartment while they work on the house - yeah right! An apartment that will hold all of the "stuff" we think we need, 5 people, and two cats. He is delusional - sweet, but delusional! –Sheila

Three words: Just say no!

We underwent an 18 month home renovation. We do indeed have our dream home, but we endured unspeakable nightmares in the process. Count on it costing 30-40% more than you anticipate. Realize that someone will do something incredibly boneheaded (like order the wrong windows) and act like it is your fault (it wasn't my mistake, but it set our timeline back by another six weeks). Even after you move back in, count on having workmen in the house all the time.

Our neighbor hated us because we had a Port-O-Potty in our yard during most of this (as the plumbing was being redone, so there was no working bathroom facilities).

If you do it even after I wrote this, remember...I told ya so!

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Accio Sirius - Oct 1, 2007 3:57 am (#2519 of 2984)

Catherine! I feel for you. I fear remodeling as much as I fear moving! My hats off to you expert movers. A few years ago we re did the kitchen and two bathrooms. They were great at tile--everything else, especially painting--not so much. I ordered this big, really cool bathroom mirror with trim and I was complaining to the manufacturer that they didn't include the trim until we realized our "contractor" cut it up and glued it to the wall as the back splash!&@#$!

I'm so excited about the swaps! We'll be watching the skies for the owls!

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megfox* - Oct 1, 2007 5:22 am (#2520 of 2984)

Argh... I am home today with a very ill toddler. She started throwing up on Saturday and continued all yesterday... Now she is ravenous, since we wouldn't let her eat anything yesterday, and she doesn't want saltines. She is extremely peeved with me. At least she doesn't mind watching her movies for the 300th time. I also left my classroom in complete disarray, and had to email in sub plans. I hope everything goes well today - at least today are my 2 smaller, more well behaved classes. If it was tomorrow, I teach all day and the classes are big and well, let's call it, rambunctious.

Our heat has been on at night, but it has been, until this week, in the 70's and 80's during the day. Wednesday (I think) of last week it was even mid-90's and humid. That is unusual except for about 2 weeks in July, so I am glad to not have to turn on my heat yet! This week is still unseasonable, upper 60's - it should be in the 50's at least. And I pay for my own heat, my landlord only cares that the pipes don't freeze. That is very common around here - in college, I had a landlord that paid for either heat or electricity. In some of his apartments, it was more cost efficient for him to pay electricity, because they were less well insulated. My friends who lived there just used electric heaters all winter, but had to hide them when he came over. We paid for electricity in our apartment and he paid for our heat, and we kept it at 72 all winter. It was wonderful!

I am looking forward to the SWAPS arriving! Have a good day everyone!

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Herm oh ninny - Oct 1, 2007 6:51 am (#2521 of 2984)

Hi all!

Heat....I like it on during the day but at night I like it COLD! I open my windows in the middle of winter to let in the freezing air. I'm a little strange

Has anyone read the "His Dark Materials series"? (I think that's what they are called.) I saw the preview for The Golden Compass and it looked very interesting, so I'm thinking about getting the book.

Megfox- Thanks for the info & link about the avatar changes. And to answer your stupid question of the day "Them Yankees is going to the play-offs!!!" LOL! It looks as if we are both on cloud nine but on opposite sides

We have all decided that Lou (our parrot) must be a male.(we haven't had a blood test done yet to check for his sex) Whenever a female walks by, he fluffs up all his feathers, spreads out his wings, and struts back and forth while whistling and saying "Hello" & "Cracker?". He is very reminiscent of a construction worker!

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Solitaire - Oct 1, 2007 7:07 am (#2522 of 2984)

I also left my classroom in complete disarray, and had to email in sub plans.

Meg, I rarely leave my room a mess, just like I refuse to leave on Friday afternoon without complete lesson plans, syllabus run off for the kids, handouts for the week, etc. On the rare occasion that I neglect a mess or some other "must," I can almost COUNT on having an emergency that will require a sub to navigate said mess. I think it must be part of some Murphy's Laws for Teachers, or something.

The house-seller's equivalent is probably going to happen to me today: my house is less than spotless, as I didn't feel up to a major cleaning over the weekend. Consequently, I will probably have a procession of "looky-loos" all day long. That's usually how it runs.

Our neighbor hated us because we had a Port-O-Potty in our yard

It's obvious to me that you were only doing it to spite your neighbor, too. Duh! Some people just don't think. BTW, did the complaining neighbor ever offer you the use of his showers or bathrooms?

Okay ... have a nice Monday, everyone!

Solitaire

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painting sheila - Oct 1, 2007 7:14 am (#2523 of 2984)

I will pay for your plane ticket if any of you with horror stories of living in a house during remodeling will come and scare the idea out of my husband.

Anyone want to sponsor my oldest kids in a walk-a-thon (Just kidding - sorta) Hubby and i finally laid down the law last night about the trip to England. They have done nothing (no - really - NOTHING) to raise money for the trip. We have had fund raiser after fund raiser. I think they thought their dad and I would just pay the money and be done with it. So last night, we made it crystal clear ( had them repeat what we said) they they had to pay for half of the trip. They don't have to have it before the trip - but by June 1st. If they don't have it by June 1st, we start cutting off appendages.

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azi - Oct 1, 2007 7:36 am (#2524 of 2984)

Oh landlords pay some of the bills in the US? Here the tenants pay the bills, although in very few cases bills will be factored into the rent. Our landlord pays for house improvements, boiler breakdown and house insurance. Other than that it's up to us!

Hope your kids start working for their trip, Shelia! Is it the end of this year you are visiting?

I tried reading 'His Dark Materials' when I was 10 and hated it so much I stopped after a few pages. A lot of people love it though, so I think it could be a good read. I keep meaning to try it again. A little fact - the first book is actually called Northern Lights in the UK, instead of The Golden Compass. That change makes less sense to me than the PS/SS change.

**waves to everyone**

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Denise P. - Oct 1, 2007 7:56 am (#2525 of 2984)

I read His Dark Materials based on people here recommending them. I hated them. I found them dull, boring and I had to force myself to finish them. I know people love them, just like they love HP, but I think there is no comparison at all.



Today is the 5 year anniversary of the Lexicon Forum opening its doors. Thank you Lexicon Steve for giving us this place to meet friends, discuss Harry and enjoy the books.

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megfox* - Oct 1, 2007 8:07 am (#2526 of 2984)

Well, no frantic emails from school, so I guess everything is working out. Soli, I almost never leave my room a mess either, but I had to work Friday night and it was so hot in my classroom, and I had taught all four blocks, and I was beat. Everything needed for class today was already run off, but it was not in a very obvious place, and kids had passed in projects on Thursday and Friday, which just added to the confusion, as they were all over the back of the room (which is also where I keep all of my handouts stacked until I am ready to use them). Thankfully, my best friend's classroom is right next to mine, and she was able to print off my sub notes and find everything for me. My biggest concern was that they would get me someone competent, as I decided to have the kids go ahead with my regular plans. I designated two students from each class (who hopefully won't be absent) to lead the discussion and go over the homework. I hope I have been too ambitious in my trust and expectations from those students! I think they can handle it, but you never know with Freshman!

Azi, I think that when landlords pay utilities, it is always factored into the rent. Usually it is something that is not easily split between the tenants, like if there is only one propane tank at the building or one meter for electricity for multiple apartments, etc. My landlord doesn't pay any of our utilities at my current house, but our rent is reasonable for York.

Maddy must be taking lessons on being sick from her father. She has been lying on the couch, demanding that I get everything for her, even her sippy cup that she just threw onto the floor. She had some cheerios and a few preztels, and both seem to be staying down, so we might move onto chicken soup for lunch. But when I ask her to sit up and take some medicine, or to pick up her own sippy, she gives me this hang-dog, I'm-gonna-die-I'm-so-sick look, and flops herself back onto the pillow. What an actress!

I really want to see the Golden Compass movie. One of my students (the one whose Mom is my daycarer) loves fantasy books and told me he would lend me the books when I was ready to read them. He is also going to lend me Eragon, and the second book in the Looking Glass Wars series, as soon as he is done reading it. I told him I needed to finish my re-read of the HP series first. He just nodded his head knowingly.

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journeymom - Oct 1, 2007 8:12 am (#2527 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Harry Potter Lexicon Forum!

This place has provided me a lot of pleasure and I think I got a lot more out of the HP stories from all of your insights.

Azi, would you take a cruise across the pond to the US? You'd be in good company. Apparently David Bowie simply does not fly, he takes cruise ships. Sounds very romantic, actually.

Stupid question: Am I too old for pig tails in my hair? I asked Mr Journeymom that, as I was messing around with my hair last night and put it in pig tails. He returned promptly, "No." I looked at him and he said, "What if I'd said, 'Yes, you're too old??'"

For the record, I decided that, yes, I am a bit too, uh, grown up for pig tails.

Mr. Puck had decided that in order to have proper surround sound, the tv belonged where the fireplace is. –Puck

Mr Journeymom decided the same thing! Only he didn't block the fire place. But now the tv is set up (plug specially installed, tv hanging on the wall) and the speakers are in the ceiling, that's the only place the sofa can go. The sofa can never face any other direction.

Herm Oh Ninny, about His Dark Materials- I couldn't get past the first book, the first time I read it. A few years later I was looking for something to read to dd, so I read the whole series to her. I got a lot more out of it the second time. The first book is the strongest of the three. Aspects of it strongly remind me of the HP series. Interesting, since it was published before PS was published.

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Holly T. - Oct 1, 2007 9:26 am (#2528 of 2984)

Happy anniversary to the Forum!

My daughter loves the His Dark Materials series and the Eragon books and the Looking Glass Wars books. She had her best friend also really like the Maximum Ride books. I have not read any of these. She chose Looking Glass Wars for her summer reading project (they get a list of about 5 books and have to select one). Of course she finished the book right away so I bought her Alice in Wonderland to compare it with. So she read it too. Then she wanted the second Looking Glass Wars book so I bought that for her and she read it too.

Dh was out of town and my friend's son had a baseball tournament all weekend so two of my friends and I ended up playing trade children all day yesterday. By 9 p.m. everyone had their own kids back. The best part was when my friend called to say she was on the way to pick up her daughter and I told her that her daughter and my daughter were playing with my daughter's dolls. It was so cute. They took the Red Cross babysitting class yesterday afternoon so when they got home they were practicing what they had learned--how to hold a baby, how to treat choking, etc.--on my daughter's American Girl dolls.

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Steve Newton - Oct 1, 2007 9:41 am (#2529 of 2984)

Maybe its the anniversary talk but I did some scouting around and the earliest post that I can find, mine that is, is in early June 2004. I could be missing some and I certainly read a while before joining but that is the earliest that I can document. I can't even, right now, remember which thread. I found late June posts in a Snape thread.

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Good Evans - Oct 1, 2007 10:18 am (#2530 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the forum, just an opportunity to say thanks so much to Steve for starting it and Kip and all the mods and hosts for keeping it going. Thanks to each and everyone of the posters, regular or otherwise for such wonderful contributions and caring ***big group hug to everyone***.

Still stuck in court, I am on my third case now, all good fun!!!! Waves and hugs to all (welcome back T Brightwater! )

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azi - Oct 1, 2007 10:23 am (#2531 of 2984)

Hmm, a cruise...problem is they're super-expensive with a high chance of stomach viruses. At least that's what TV's taught me. If I was super-rich I'd be taking a ship to Norway and train-ing/boating my way across Scandinavia rather than flying. Alas, I think the US is slightly too far to cruise.

Oh yes, Happy anniversary Forum!

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Solitaire - Oct 1, 2007 11:01 am (#2532 of 2984)

Meg, I have one seventh grade class who could probably get through the lesson by themselves with just a "babysitter" sub to make it legal. They can take roll and do what is necessary, because the entire class is very mature. Two of the girls could probably teach the lesson! LOL Fortunately, they are after lunch and provide a nice break from my very low "before-lunch" class and my last two periods of the day (electives which drive me crazy). My first period might be able to get on okay, because of a few really responsible (and slightly bossy) girls. They would have to send one of the whiney GATE boys to the office, though ... and then things would be fine.

My students this year are pretty good overall. The very few annoying kids are kind of spread out, so that I do not have two killer classes back-to-back. My last period elective is a bit whiney, and wouldn't you know that the biggest whiner is the same one from my first period!

Solitaire

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 1, 2007 11:03 am (#2533 of 2984)

I finally finish reading the posts and it's time to go again.

Healing charms to megfox's little one and to all those who need them.

**waves to azi, GE and all around**

Happy anniversary to the Lex and a big thanks to all those who keep it going so smoothly.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 1, 2007 11:27 am (#2534 of 2984)

I had yet to use the chat thread and figured today is a wonderful day to begin.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Elanor - Oct 1, 2007 11:30 am (#2535 of 2984)

Joyeux anniversaire, happy anniversary to the lex!

Many, many thanks to all who make the forum what it is, that is the best place on the internet: Steve, Kip, the mods and all the wonderful people who post here. We should all have a family party, don't you think?

Have a good Monday everybody! (and Healing Charm's to Megfox's daughter).

Audrey

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painting sheila - Oct 1, 2007 12:40 pm (#2536 of 2984)

Welcome to the chat thread PeskyPixie!!

and . . . . . .

Happy Anniversary to the Forum!!!!!

Thank you Kip for creating such a wonderful  for all of HP fanatics!!

You are appreciated!

She

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Lina - Oct 1, 2007 1:49 pm (#2537 of 2984)

Happy birthday, Lexicon Forum!

Healing charms to your toddler, Meg!

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Snuffles - Oct 1, 2007 1:49 pm (#2538 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Forum. May we have many more to celebrate

**Healing Charms** to Megfox's daughter. I hope she is better soon.

I know there was much more I wanted to say but alas, I cannot remember. I think I will sit quietly in the corner drinking some Butterbeer and enjoy the party!

*waves to everyone*

Julie

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Pigwidgeon - Oct 1, 2007 2:29 pm (#2539 of 2984)

Wow, the Lexicon Forum has been around five years now?!? Time flies when you are having fun -- but boy do I feel old!

Happy anniversary!

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Tazzygirl - Oct 1, 2007 2:55 pm (#2540 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Lexicon and Forum!

I've skimmed the last several days’ worth of posts, so I am sorry if I missed things to say! **healing charms** **good luck charms** **birthday charms** and everything else sent to those that need them!

Today is my first official day off from school and work (and I'm not sick!!). It's Fall break in the public schools, and I don't work until Wednesday. I have tomorrow off too, but then school Wednesday and Thursday. Next week I am taking Monday and Tuesday off as well- my friend from the mainland is coming in to visit for a week starting this Thursday.

As it is my first day off, I am celebrating it by doing laundry, scrubbing my apartment, watching Father Goose in the background, and hammering through about 3 weeks’ worth of homework (to try and get ahead of everything). w00t! Then tonight I am going with a couple of friends to see The Game Plan. Not entirely sure what it is about, all I know is that it has The Rock in it. (I can't stand The Rock. I just really want to see a movie, and all the other movie selections don't sound as good. LOL)

Have a great Week everyone!

~Kristina

Oh- if anyone here watches Grey's Anatomy, several HP members and I created a Forum for it almost a year ago. It's under my homepage link in my profile. Just thought I'd throw it out there again!

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T Brightwater - Oct 1, 2007 3:25 pm (#2541 of 2984)

I read His Dark Materials and enjoyed it, but haven't felt compelled to re-read it. Some interesting ideas, but no characters I really cared strongly about, unlike HP.

One series I've been enjoying a lot (and re-reading!) is the "Ring of Fire," which begins with 1632 - Eric Flint is the general editor, and one interesting thing about it is that fan fiction can become part of the canon! The research is very good, the characters are three-dimensional, and, like HP, it uses the whole emotional range from hilarious to tragic.

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megfox* - Oct 1, 2007 3:48 pm (#2542 of 2984)

Thanks for the healing charms, they seemed to have worked. She has been chatterboxing away for about an hour straight now, and asked for hotdogs and tater tots for dinner. Now she is trying to convince us to let her take the dog outside.

I can't believe that it was 5 years ago that I first came to this wonderful place. I am so glad to have met and virtually hung out with all of you! Long Live the HP Lexicon forum!!

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Kip Carter - Oct 1, 2007 4:17 pm (#2543 of 2984)
Edited Oct 1, 2007 4:50 pm

Five years ago today, Lexicon Steve (Steve Vander Ark) created the Harry Potter Lexicon Forum on World Crossing, but was not immediately available because of the needs of setting everything up and notifying those visitors to the Harry Potter Lexicon.

The following day (Wednesday 2 October 2002 at 9:07 am PDT {UTC/GMC-7 hours}), he created the Forum's first thread with the following message, "Well, here we go. Let's give this one a try. It doesn't throw pop-up windows at us, which is nice. Comments?"

One hour and nineteen minutes later (Oct 2, 2002 10:26 am), Denise P. made the first reply, "Thanks for setting this up Steve, I think it will be much easier to follow than the Bravenet board." And the Forum was off and running.

The reference to Bravenet board was due to an earlier attempt to establish a forum there and most did not like the way Bravenet worked. Both Denise and I remember another attempt was made on another server; however Steve does not remember it. I could not find in my notes the name of the other forum server, but maybe someone will remember and let me know in the future.

We had, and still have, a great group of dedicated members who have put up with many problems during the last five years with the biggest and most damaging happening in the late spring of 2003 when World Crossing basically crashed.

We spent some time when the crash started on a quickly created St. Mungo's Fallout Shelter, created by Carina on Thursday 29 May 2003 while I was trying to save some of the files as our Forum started dying. At that time, both the Lexicon Forum and the Harry Potter Lexicon FanFiction Forum were on World Crossing's wc1 server; whereas St. Mungo's was on the wc3 server, which was a little more stable; however it started having problems when the sysops, technicians, and engineers began correcting the problems.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released during this turmoil on 21 June 2003.

With World Crossing being unreliable, Denise P. established a Harry Potter Lexicon Forum on EZBoard and notified everyone of this with a Jul 8, 2003 7:12 pm post. EZBoard was free for only one month; so a second Forum was established on EZBoard to tie us together until we were able to return to World Crossing on Friday 29 August 2003.

And all of this happened during our first year! We lost a lot of threads and a lot of good members; however there was always a core group that kept us going and there was the Harry Potter Lexicon and Jo Rowling's wonderful books which gave up purpose.

Remember some of the other happenings during that first year. Warner Brothers released the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the month following the creation of the Lexicon Forum (November 2002). The FanFiction Forum was created in early January 2003. Denise P. joined the staff as a Host shortly afterwards and just before she gave birth to her youngest daughter and found that one of her sons had a setback that would occupy a huge amount of her time. I was fortunate to gain the support of the "Pink Ladies" (and they were not all ladies) to help with the operation of the Forums.

Yes, that first year was quite a challenge, but we made it and now we are looking at a new era to begin. I talked with Steve earlier and he said the Lexicon will definitely be here for at least another ten or more years and our Forums will also follow suit. I am looking forward to the future and have a few wrinkles still to add. Please do not ask for details. I will share them as time is available and the circumstances start happening.

With that I say, "Happy Anniversary to the Harry Potter Lexicon Forum!" and "Thanks you, Hosts and members for making the last five one of the most enjoyable times of my sixty-seven years!" I look forward to the future!

Added Note to Steve Newton: There are many threads and posts still available on the Forum; however they are in the archives area. Scan through some of the folder at the bottom of the main page.

Another Note: The oldest working discussion thread on the main page is # Discussions about the Cast of any HP movie., which was created on Sunday 27 October 2002 by timrew, then known as scrambledeggs.

And: The oldest thread on the main page is ** Philosophy of this Forum, the guidelines for our still being here! It's always good to read it again every so often.

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Chemyst - Oct 1, 2007 5:57 pm (#2544 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Forum! (You will all have to pretend that there is a little birthday candle burning in my avatar today.)

Thanks for giving the expanded timeline, Kip. I thought I'd remembered the day, 02, matching the year, '02, and was beginning to wonder how I could have been so wrong– but it is both the first and the second!

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Betty Boop - Oct 1, 2007 5:59 pm (#2545 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary Lexicon Forum!!! A Big Thank you to Steve, Kip, Denise and the rest of the mods.

Meg, healing charms to your daughter.

I hope everyone has a good week.

hugs always

boop

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Choices - Oct 1, 2007 6:00 pm (#2546 of 2984)

Wow, so much history in five short years. Congratulations to the HP Lexicon Forum and many thanks to all those who make it what it is. Charms to everyone for strength and staying power, so we can look forward to many more years of wonderful discussions. Love and {{{hugs}}} to you all.

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Oct 1, 2007 6:22 pm (#2547 of 2984)

Well, it's hard to add to what has already been said, but I think each individual member ought to give themselves a pat on the back in celebration, for without each of us, there would be no forum.

Happy Anniversary to the HP Lexicon Forum!

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Puck - Oct 1, 2007 7:48 pm (#2548 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary!

Healing charm's to Meg's little one!

I had to extricate a one of Son's toys (a Playmobile canball) from Toddler's nose this morning. Fortunately, it wasn't smooth, but had a few groves so I could grab it with the tweezers.

The driveway is paved and the new stone retaining wall looks great. No more worries about the old wall giving way and the driveway collapsing with it.

Off to bed. Things fairly organized for the class at church tomorrow. Just have to get some things photocopied.

Happy RotD!

Kathy

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T Brightwater - Oct 1, 2007 7:58 pm (#2549 of 2984)

(waves to TBE and Chemyst - has anyone seen Timrew lately?)

Happy Birthday to the Forum, and many happy returns!

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Potteraholic - Oct 1, 2007 8:43 pm (#2550 of 2984)
Edited Oct 1, 2007 9:19 pm


For it's a jolly good forum,
For it's a jolly good forum,
For it's a jolly good for-or-rum,
And so say all of us!!!

Happy 5th Anniversary, HPLF!

I've said this before, but it's still true today. When I read the threads here, I feel like Dumbledore when he tells Harry, "I am not worried, Harry,"... "I am with you." Thanks to Steve, Kip, and all the moderators for making this forum the wonderful place it is to just kick back and relax with all things Potter!

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jose043 - Oct 2, 2007 1:32 am (#2551 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to Lexicon Forum. Thank you Steve, Kip, Denise and all the other moderators for making this forum a wonderful place to have a good laugh and make some wonderful friends, through the Chat and Greeting Thread.

Healing charms to Meg's little girl.

Josephine and Anne

Little Werewolves of London

The Moon made me do it.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 2, 2007 3:42 am (#2552 of 2984)

Just got back from seeing Dragon Wars. Did anyone here see it? IMO- it ranks worse than The Village. I think I lost brain cells. The plot was inconsistent (you never find out what happens to half the cast), and the acting was horrible. Serves me right for agreeing to see a movie I knew absolutely nothing about. I wish we had kept to the original idea of watching The Game Plan... Oh well. I think I shall go to bed and try and regrow some of the lost brain cells back. LOL

~Kristina

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Accio Sirius - Oct 2, 2007 3:46 am (#2553 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the forum! I plan to chat loads today to celebrate!

Thanks for the explanation Kip. Is there a history of the forum thread anywhere? Where you talk about how you first found each other without the thread--the birth of the forum if you will? That would be fun to read. Thanks to everyone who has kept it going all along.

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Eponine - Oct 2, 2007 6:28 am (#2554 of 2984)

Okay, I just skimmed about 100 posts.

Sheila, unfortunately, we did not get to go to Les Mis. I really wanted to, but I had to take Mr. Eponine to the emergency room the day before, and he was not well enough to drive all the way to Raleigh on Friday. He's okay now, he just had a kidney attack. Lovely way to spend the day.  We sat on a bed in the emergency room hallway for about 6 hours. Thankfully, they did have wi-fi, and I brought my laptop, so we were both able to get some work done. I would like to meet up sometime, though if it's possible.

I hope everyone has had a less eventful week than I have.

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The giant squid - Oct 2, 2007 6:35 am (#2555 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Forum! I'm not sure exactly when I joined, but I think it was shortly after the return from EZBoard. Marie E. might be able to narrow it down as she's the one who harassed me into joining. It's been a blast since then thanks to Steve, Kip, Denise & all the hosts going above & beyond to make sure this place stays troll-free and topic-smart.

Tazzy, I wish I'd gotten to you sooner--I could have warned you about Dragon Wars... As for The Game Plan, the plot is: The Rock plays a big-shot NFL quarterback who suddenly discovers he has a daughter. Hilarity supposedly ensues. I'm kind out of the loop right now as to what's playing & what's coming soon--we're in the home stretch of a new theater install so I haven't been looking at the release schedule much. I can tell you that the print of The Hills Have Eyes 2 they sent us to test the projectors with still sucks...

--Mike

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Steve Newton - Oct 2, 2007 6:40 am (#2556 of 2984)

Thanks, Kip. Will do.

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Solitaire - Oct 2, 2007 7:11 am (#2557 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Forum! I will never forget how excited I was when I first discovered that such a place existed! It was a dream spot for a language arts teacher who loved to discuss literature ... especially FUN literature! I lurked for a day or so ... and then joined! I am so thankful for all of the wonderful online friends I've made here ... some of whom I've talked to on the phone and a few of whom I've met face to face. Many, many thanks to Kip and all of the others who work so hard to keep the Forum a nice place to visit.

Solitaire

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Oct 2, 2007 7:38 am (#2558 of 2984)

Waves back to T Brightwater!

Mike, if you'd just grab an HP reel, you'd have a more test worthy film , in my not so humble opinion, LOL!

I didn't mean to short the mods or Steve or Kip in my last post, I was just trying to give credit to the members, in case my post came across the wrong way. (Thinks to self, the mods, Kip, and Steve are members also?) ROFL!

Anyhoo, 'tis a great place to call my home away from home within a home. A big heart felt thanks to all for some really wonderful years.

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Orion - Oct 2, 2007 8:11 am (#2559 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary, forum! Hopefully it will continue to exist and there will always be people around who like to discuss until their ears fall off. BTW, are there many teachers on the forum? What subjects do you teach?

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Aug 25, 2007 1:43 pm (#2560 of 2984)

there will always be people around who like to discuss until their ears fall off

Claps hands over ears! I may not be happy with them, but they are the only ears I have!

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megfox* - Oct 2, 2007 9:24 am (#2561 of 2984)

There certainly seem to be a few teachers - I am one of them, and I teach 9th and 10th grade Social Studies (specifically, American and World History, with a smattering of geography, economics, anthropology, sociology, etc, etc...).

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Puck - Oct 2, 2007 9:25 am (#2562 of 2984)

Just checked. Ears still firmly attached. *whew*

More good news -no foreign objects in Toddler's nose this morning.

Healing charms to Eponine's hubby. (Tossing a few more to TBE's as well.)

As I do not have self-cleaning bathrooms, I must go.

Cheers, Kathy

ps- I was a teacher in my days B.C. (That's "Before Children")

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Denise P. - Oct 2, 2007 9:35 am (#2563 of 2984)

I have a degree in education, I was certified to teach K-8 in TN, K-3 in KY. I was all set to go into the school system as a teacher after graduation (had all my paperwork done, pretty much a given I would be hired since they were so short on teachers) when I found out that Mr. Skateboarder, my almost 15 year old, would be making his journey to join the family in a few months. I made the choice to not get a job because I lucky enough to be able to stay home with my little guy. Since then, I have stayed at home with the kidlets. I know if I ever went back into the class, I would not want K, I would want 2, 3 or 4th grade. After this long out, I am not sure I would want to go back into the classroom. I have at least another 3 years before I could even think of getting a job anyway.

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Oct 2, 2007 9:37 am (#2564 of 2984)

(snickers at Denise), like you have time for a job?

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 2, 2007 10:00 am (#2565 of 2984)

Healing charms to Mr. Eponine! Was it a stone? I've had several of those-not fun.

LOL, TBE!

I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner, but I found a note last night that was passed between Percy and her friend "Lily". Tomorrow morning they set off for their 5th Grade camping trip. Wouldn't you know, these two are pretending they are off to Hogwarts. I am off to buy them chocolate frog cards and jelly slugs for their lunch bags. I also found 2 cute sets of earrings that look like the sorting hat.

I would love to toss in a note telling them what house they've been sorted into, etc. Can anyone suggest a site or something that will help me get a realistic looking HW printout? Any other ideas for these two little witches is greatly appreciated.

I do have a HS meeting tonight but will probably cut it early to make sure Percy has what she needs.

Maria

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Mediwitch - Oct 2, 2007 10:14 am (#2566 of 2984)

Just skimmed through about 120 posts...I wish I could find the time to pop in more often! I haven't even been to the rest of the threads in weeks...but we're settling in to the house pretty well now. We still have an unfinished bathroom and the mudroom is pretty messy, but I can wash and dry clothes, and I've actually unpacked all of our clothes so we aren't wearing the same five outfits to work each week!

I have also been taking an EMS Instructor course (to teach EMT classes) - it's OK, but it's hard to take a course in really basic teaching skills when you already teach. Bloom's Taxonomy and lesson plans, all over again! In CT, unfortunately, you have to take this course to teach EMT classes, even if you already have a teaching certificate. It was lousy timing for me, what with moving and all, but it's the first time the class has been offered in quite a while anywhere reasonably close to me.

Happy Birthday to the Forum, and thanks to all who keep it going!!

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Orion - Oct 2, 2007 10:16 am (#2567 of 2984)

Oh come on TwinklingBlueEyes, we all have to let our ear down sometimes. What is K-8, and K in general, Denise P.? I learnt about the american school system at school, but you know how it is. I was staunchly sitting in the last row.

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Holly T. - Oct 2, 2007 10:26 am (#2568 of 2984)

Healing charms to Mr. Eponine and continued charms to the TBE family!

Healing charms also to Meg's daughter and I am sure there is a charm to get things out of noses Puck. (btdt, with a Lego in my son's nose--when I say he breathes Legos, that's not what I meant)

Spent yesterday afternoon at the doctor's with my son. He's been complaining that he pulled his groin muscle at tae kwon do, then he told me he has a lump on his leg. Which he did, way up on his thigh. So we went to the doctor and they were able to say it wasn't a hernia, then we had to go to the hospital for an ultrasound, which led to them saying it was an enlarged lymph node and prescribing antibiotics--they're thinking it might be cat scratch disease, from his grandparents' new kitten, which he played with all the time for a week about a month ago. Of course one of my friends had to tell me about all kinds of bone diseases and such that this could also be a symptom of. Anyway, he's on antibiotics for 10 days and we're keeping an eye on it. After he finishes the meds the doctor wants to see him again. Note that I had no gray hair before I had this boy.

After that long and stressful afternoon, dh took daughter to her band concert and son and I went to see Al Gore give his "An Inconvenient Truth " presentation. Son did his math homework while we were waiting for it to start. We really enjoyed it but it wasn't over until 9:45, then there was horrible traffic on the way home (why is there traffic at 10 p.m. on a Monday night?), so he went to bed late. I hope he does ok at school today.

I am annoyed with son's teacher again, though. Yesterday since his leg was hurting I sent him a note to get him out of PE. But when his classroom teacher thought her students were being lazy she made them get up and do jumping jacks. Son said he had a pulled muscle and sore leg and a note to not do PE. The teacher said if you whined you had to do twice as many jumping jacks. I asked him what he did and he said he did the jumping jacks without jumping because jumping is what makes his leg hurt more. So when we were at the doctor's office I got a note from them saying no PE or recess (which I hope she will realize also applies to miscellaneous jumping jacks) for the rest of the week. And I told my son if she tries that again to tell her he needs to go to the nurse. I was telling dh and he said that's one more thing for our list for the parent-teacher conference (coming up soon).

I have a deadline at work so I need to make myself concentrate and get the work done. There is also a work event tonight at the museum so I'll be out late again.

Editing to add that I meant to say that I'm not a teacher--but my parents are retired teachers, my in-laws are retired teachers, my sister and my SIL are teachers, you get the drift. Dh does school law. I was in school for a very long time, LOL.

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Herm oh ninny - Oct 2, 2007 11:18 am (#2569 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary to the Lex!

Thanks for all the advice about the Dark Materials series. Maybe I should watch the movie first and then decide about the book. Or, maybe I'll just visit Barnes and Nobles and start to read it there and see how I like it

I just graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and I received two New Jersey teaching certificates. One is K-5 and the other is Pre K-3.

Orion- K stands for kindergarten. Most children in the US start school at age 5, and that's the grade they start in. However, many public schools are now offering free Pre K classes, which start at age 4. Most elementary schools include grades K-5 (or 6) then they have middle school, sometimes called junior high, which has 6-8, and then high school which includes grades 9-12. These vary from place to place. In NJ, you have to have a specific teaching certificate for where you want to teach. My certificates allow me to teach Pre K up to 5th grade. Hope that helps!

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journeymom - Oct 2, 2007 1:32 pm (#2570 of 2984)

Healing charms to your son, Holly. I understand about too-much-information induced anxiety. The same sort of thing happened with my son a few years ago. Pain in his hip, got progressively worse. It turned out to be unusual enough, if not life threatening -Perthes disease. Of course, I read up on all sorts of deadly bone diseases, and my girlfriend had to tell me all about her brother's childhood bout with bone cancer.

The nifty school issued planner/agenda thing doesn't work very well if you enter erroneous and incomplete homework instructions. So I'm reminding myself that it's better for dd to make these mistakes now, in seventh grade, and hopefully learn from them. So hopefully she will be more diligent in upper grades, where the teachers aren't as forgiving.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 2, 2007 1:50 pm (#2571 of 2984)

**healing charms** to your little Death Eater, Holly!

Squid Mike- it's okay. LOL! Kind of serves me right for not keeping up with what movies are out. Although, one friend decided to share with us after we got out of the movie that one of the regular customers at work told him it sucked. Couldn't he have shared that with us before we went in?? As for The Game Plan, I really don't like The Rock, so not sure if I would have liked that movie either. I'll take your word on The Hills Have Eyes 2. Not a fan of those type movies. LOL

Tried to wake up early today but that didn't happen. So now I am off to run a bunch of errands as fast as I can so then I can come home and spend the remainder of the day getting homework done that I really should have started several days ago.

Oh, Orion- I'm almost a teacher. I'm graduating from uni in May with a dual credential in Special Education and Regular Education K-6 grade.

Off I go!

~Kristina

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kabloink! - Oct 2, 2007 2:24 pm (#2572 of 2984)

Azi, here it completely depends on your landlord and the situation. In the past we've had apartments where we were responsible for all the bills (electricity, gas, water, trash removal, and obviously cable and phone), and others where trash removal and water were paid. I've also heard of some people who haven't had to pay gas, as it was also included in their rent. We have never been so lucky. We do, however, have complete control over our thermostat, so I guess that is nice. We currently have to pay everything but water and trash removal (we live in a condo complex)-this is an improvement since at our old house we had to pay everything. The electric bill earlier this summer more than made up for lack of a water bill, though. Almost $300 for just June for a 900 or so sq foot townhome. Everyone kept telling me it was because I was running my central air constantly-I still thought it was awfully high, as it was never that high when I ran my massive window AC unit, which should take more electricity. Well, it was the central air, but only because the unit was fried.

Wouldn't a good, strong, Summoning Charm work to remove foreign objects from noses (or ears...)?

Orion, I was going to school to be a secondary teacher (6-12, typically), but ended up just settling for my BA in history. Eventually, I will go back and finish my certification, but with baby #2 due in December and baby #1 just turning 1...it will be a few years.

So yesterday was terrible. It was a day off, sort of. Hubby had his ankle surgery (he's fine, btw) at 9:15 am, but worked the overnight the night before...SO, I had to pick him up at 6am, then drive 2hrs to Port Huron (well, with a stop at another restaurant to report his numbers for the week), which means I was up at 5am with the baby. Then, with all the driving after the surgery, the baby slept, so needless to say no nap when we got home, and daddy is sleeping, so mommy's exhausted and baby just want to play with daddy because daddy is home and he doesn't understand why he can't play with daddy (let alone whack the injured ankle with his plastic putter...). Is it bad I was happy to come to work today, rather than stay home with an invalid AND a 1-year-old who won't nap when daddy's home (for the afore mentioned reason). Now I just have the one year old at work...and my dad...but I shouldn't go there...

Hope everyone has a great day!

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I Am Used Vlad - Oct 2, 2007 4:45 pm (#2573 of 2984)

Happy Anniversary, Lex. I'd like to thank Steve, Kip, Denise and all the hosts for all their hard work. It's been fun.

Oh, yeah, I'm a pig, not a rat.

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Betty Boop - Oct 2, 2007 5:17 pm (#2574 of 2984)

Healing charms to all that need them.

House is on tonight, great show.

Waves to everyone!!

hugs always

boop

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Denise P. - Oct 2, 2007 7:29 pm (#2575 of 2984)

Devin switched over to the trumpet today. We traded in a used trombone and walked away with a new trumpet. He likes it a lot better and tomorrow he has class. Millicent learned 3 notes today, she is thrilled LOL

Tomorrow is going to be the hectic day. I need to make sure I have all my hotel, flight and passport info. I need to pack, I need to drive 5 boys to the stake center for a merit badge clinic. Oh yeah, Millicent also has an activity at church at the same time. Fun! I can get almost everything done in the morning except for the driving in the evening.

I also need to make a list of things for Mr. Denise to do since he doesn't normally do them...like check spelling homework, sign folders, make lunches, check bookbags, what time the various buses come to pick up and drop off, what to feed the dog, the birds and when....all those little things moms do daily but are essential. Of course picture day is the two days this week that I am not going to be here. Iain is growing out a mowhawk so that is going to be a lovely photo. Mr. Denise has a 10 mile race this weekend too. I am not sure how he is going to work that out.

Oh, I also need to drop by the library to pick up a few books to read. I am bring HBP as well. Maybe since I will be trapped on a plane I will get involved in reading it.

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megfox* - Oct 2, 2007 7:32 pm (#2576 of 2984)

LOL Denise - and I am stressed with just a department meeting after school tomorrow afternoon, bringing Maddy home to Andy, and working tomorrow night! I found that the easiest way to get myself to read HBP again was to force myself into it. I have left all my other books at school - the only one I can read at home is HBP. It is better now that I know the ending...

Good luck and have a safe trip!

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kabloink! - Oct 2, 2007 8:22 pm (#2577 of 2984)

Woohoo! I finally found it! My forum start date was February 5, 2003! (well, I found an old post from '05 celebrating my 2 year forum anniversary) I thought I had joined a bit earlier, perhaps I was simply reading before then. Oh Well-Happy Anniversary Forum! I'm so glad to have you guys to hang out with. You keep me sane some days!

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journeymom - Oct 2, 2007 9:06 pm (#2578 of 2984)

I'm such a noob. The oldest post of mine that I can find is from April 10, 2006. On the Snape thread, go figure.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 2, 2007 11:53 pm (#2579 of 2984)

I think my two year 'forumversary' is November 2nd. That is the date I posted my first post on the Introduce yourself thread.

I have to laugh- Sheila, remember when you told us about the Mom video on youtube a while ago? It is now just hitting the internet mainstream. LOL

It is 9 pm, and I have not done a single piece of homework. I am soooo going to pay for it starting tomorrow!

~Kristina

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Puck - Oct 3, 2007 6:18 am (#2580 of 2984)

Hello all!

Just popping in on my way to the grocery store.

Class at the church went okay. At least it's done. No I can concentrate on Scouts and Halloween costumes for a bit.

Holly, my son had a gland on his neck get infected last winter. Sounds similar, a hard lump that suddenly appears. Antibiotics did the trick, but it didn't go away completely until the end of the 10 days. Healing charms to Draco!

Denise, enjoy your trip. (LOL at the idea of Mr. Puck trying to cope with all the Mom things I do on a daily basis. I'd have to write him a survival manual!) It's good for the men to be in charge of the kids now and then. It makes them appreciate you a bit more.

Kathy

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Holly T. - Oct 3, 2007 8:09 am (#2581 of 2984)

Good luck getting everything done Denise! LOL about having to make your husband a list. BTDT--and he still forgets things! He says I should have written everything down for him, which I did. Apparently I should be writing things down right in front of his face. Not sure how to go about doing that.

Puck, thanks for the info about your son's swollen gland. Dh talked to the doctor's office yesterday and they think son may have cat scratch disease. In-laws have two kittens that son played with a lot for a week about a month ago. They want to see him again next week.

Draco is feeling well enough to continue to talk too much at school. I got to work today to find a voice mail from the teacher from earlier this morning. She wanted him to talk to me about what he'd done. I asked him if he was talking back and mouthing off or just talking when he wasn't supposed to. He said he was talking when he wasn't supposed to. The tea leaves are telling me to expect another D in conduct for this week.

Editing--my first post on the Forum was Feb. 17, 2006.

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Steve Newton - Oct 3, 2007 9:31 am (#2582 of 2984)

I checked the archived threads and still cannot beat my earliest post early in 2004. I started a thread on June 20, I think, and I would be surprised if I had started a thread so soon after joining.

I checked. I started the Who Will Die thread on June 20, 2004. My unreliable memory tells me that I had been a member for more than 2 weeks when I did this.

I think that I am obsessing, but, I have found a post of mine in the Neville thread from May 28, 2004.

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Puck - Oct 3, 2007 9:58 am (#2583 of 2984)

Personally, I think young Draco should get a free pass on talking out of turn, as yesterday teacher made him do jumping jacks against doctors’ orders.

Never heard of cat scratch disease.

Ah, Steve has been working like a house-elf to find his original post.

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azi - Oct 3, 2007 10:54 am (#2584 of 2984)

I still have the original 'Welcome to World Crossing' email dated 29th Dec 2002. I feel old, which is ironic considering I'll rank towards the younger end in the spectrum of members.

Healing charms to Draco, Holly! My brother got in a lot of trouble for talking and disrupting the class in school, but he calmed down eventually. Hopefully this will happen for you! Draco doesn't sound as bad as my cousin anyway - he bit off part of another kids ear when he was in nursery (about 4 years old).

Have fun on your trip, Denise! Hope you come home to find a spotless house and perfect school pictures.

I went to a sleepover at a friend's house last night. I got my hair put in ringlets, which looked fantastic when it flattened a bit and looked less like Goldilocks. Was unusually girly and tried on my friend's dresses, including one that cost £500 (US$1000) from Harvey Nichols. I looked great, especially when wearing a tiara. Feeling much more self-confident than usual now - I was complemented frequently on my fantastic waistline. Given that most of my friends are male, I rarely get complemented on anything.

**waves to everyone**

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Solitaire - Oct 3, 2007 11:00 am (#2585 of 2984)

As I do not have self-cleaning bathrooms, I must go

My idea of bliss would be a self-cleaning house. It would never need to be dusted or vacuumed. Baths/showers would have automatic sensors that cleaned every 5-7 days (or more often, if needed). Toilets would self-clean as needed. Of course, we would still need to pick up and put away our stuff ... but wouldn't that be fabulous?

Holly, didn't your son's teacher read the note? I think I might consider having him transferred, if I were you. His teacher seems to have taken Snape for her role model. BTW, my mom had a bad case of "cat-scratch fever" (that is what her doc called it) and was on antibiotics for some time, as she had difficulty conquering it. Her lower leg swelled and turned many shades of red, blue, purple and green. It looked horrible, and we were quite worried. Although most cases are fairly benign, it can be serious. **healing charms**

I believe my first post was in June or July 2004.

Solitaire

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Steve Newton - Oct 3, 2007 11:11 am (#2586 of 2984)
Edited Oct 3, 2007 11:44 am

I found a slightly earlier one. May 27, 2004 in the Arthur Weasley thread. I suspect that I was around for a few weeks before this.

AHA! May 13, 2004 in the Dumbledore's Army thread.

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Eponine - Oct 3, 2007 11:22 am (#2587 of 2984)

I don't know when my Forumversary is, but I do know I started reading the forum about 4 years ago. I'd gotten married and moved away from everyone I knew, so I ended up spending a lot of time on the internet, and I discovered the Lexicon. I know I lurked for quite a while before I ever posted anything.

Thanks for all the healing charms for Mr. Eponine. It was indeed a kidney stone, and it was not pleasant. He has a doctor's appointment today to follow up on it.

Does anyone on here have raspberry bushes? I planted a bush this summer, and I don't know if I should prune it or anything for the winter.

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Kip Carter - Oct 3, 2007 11:41 am (#2588 of 2984)

Steve Newton, you were given Participant status on Monday evening 22 March 2004. Even though the suggestion was in that email granting you posting rights, you never did add anything it on the # Tell About Yourself (new) thread.

In fact, you waited until Christmas day 2004 before you made your first post on the Chat and Greeting Thread for Members.

According to my records, you started your first thread, Literary Themes, on 12 May 2004 and it was automatically deleted on 19 November 2004 after receiving 98 posts, with the message added thirty-one days earlier on 19 October 2004.

Your oldest thread, still available, is -- Who will die in books 6/7?,b (here) began on 20 June 2004 and was closed down with 1,296 messages when Book Seven was released; however one additional post was added on 9 August 2007 when I opened it up accidentally while moving some threads around.

One this Forum, you have started two additional threads:

1. The Voice Inside on 11 August 2005, which was automatically deleted 20 October 2005 after receiving 45 messages, the last added on 19 September 2005.

2. + Chess-Reflection or Projection? on 9 July 2005, currently has 129 messages with the last added on 13 December 2006 and presently located in the Theories Group Section Folder. here

And that's all I have to say about that. - Forrest Gump

I just felt like providing Steve with this now because I had the time and it was something to do for a few minutes as a change of pace between some projects. Please do not ask me to do the same thing for you. I just ran out of free time.

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Steve Newton - Oct 3, 2007 11:48 am (#2589 of 2984)

Thanks Kip, again. You have saved me many hours of scouting around.

I think that the Voice thread was my most important. Early evidence of a Harryhorcurx I think. I copied all of it and saved it somewhere that I can't find. I do have all of my references, though, and posted them early this year in one of the read-a-long threads.

Chess could have been better if I had had stronger opinions. I started it to find out stuff and I did but it could have gone better.

Again, Thanks, Kip.

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Holly T. - Oct 3, 2007 12:10 pm (#2590 of 2984)

Solitaire, as it turned out my son hadn't given the note to his classroom teacher--he thought it was just for him to get out of PE (of course, he wasn't expecting to have to do jumping jacks in class, which normally he wouldn't mind at all--people at our church like to tell the story about him, at age 4 or 5, doing push-ups in one of the pews during the service). Then when he claimed an injury, of course she thought he was just making excuses. Teacher conferences are next week. Transferring would mean he would be in a class with the boy who pestered him all last year.

Anybody else's mom already guilt-tripping them about the holidays? My mom is on IM trying to plan Thanksgiving. She never plans ahead, so I have no idea what she's up to.

Apparently there's not always a fever with cat scratch fever, so now they call it cat scratch disease (I just learned that yesterday).

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Solitaire - Oct 3, 2007 12:28 pm (#2591 of 2984)

Just need a quick cyber-scream ... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! *sigh* There ... now I feel better. Sort of.

I just finished attempting to teach a lesson in the computer lab to the two most technologically illiterate groups of seventh graders on the planet. It's amazing how a bunch of kids who've had the same curriculum and teachers can have such wildly different skill levels. All sixth graders in our school are generally computer literate--with 5-10 exceptions scattered through the grade level--so two entire classes of clueless seventh graders are unusual to the point of being bizarre! I've never encountered more than a handful of kids who do not even know how to turn on the computer and log in.

Solitaire

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journeymom - Oct 3, 2007 1:10 pm (#2592 of 2984)

Soothing charms your direction, Soli. Bizarre is right!

Family induced holiday guilt: a couple of years ago I announced to His family and mine that we would hence forth spend Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with his family. No more agonizing about how to visit both families, separated by a 2-hour drive. I think it's our (my) turn to host Christmas dinner this year, so we'll be hosting almost the entirety of His family. This would be 30 people, but his littlest sister is getting married three days before Christmas, and they're honeymooning in Australia. Lucky.

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painting sheila - Oct 3, 2007 1:17 pm (#2593 of 2984)

MY SWAPS CAME!!!!!!!

You people are so darn clever!! Every single one I took out of the bag was an "Oh my! This one is my favorite!!"They are so fun!!

When do we do another one? I'm game. Anyone else in?

Tazzy - Yes. I am way ahead of the curve - or crowd - or what ever you call it. Ha! It's still funny every time I see it. I think another one of my friends sent it to me last week.

Let's see how long it take the sneezing panda video to get around.

Warning! Rant Coming!! My kid's high school's honor choir ordered new dresses for the girls since the old ones were being discontinued. They have a concert on Tuesday and I have received 5 (yes!! 5 ) calls from girls and moms wanting me to take in their dresses. The manufacturer must have sizes that run two and three sizes too big. These dresses are enormous on these girls. I have to take out the neck facing and the sleeves in order to make them fit! ARRGG!! They have had their dresses for at least a month and they are just now calling me!! Some people's children! :mad:

On a happier note - Did I mention my SWAPS came?  :cheer:

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Denise P. - Oct 3, 2007 1:40 pm (#2594 of 2984)

Oh man, I am going to be computer less (maybe) for a few days and will miss everyone getting their swaps! Ah crum, I wasn't going to lug my laptop but I may have to do it now. Let me see what the internet status is at the host hotel. Argh, site doesn't say but one of my roommates asked me about my laptop so I guess I will bring it along. Ah ha! Went to the main page...it has wireless access in all public areas and wired in the rooms. Woo hoo! I will be able to sneak on a few times to check on everything.

Sheila, aren't they fun?!! I had so much fun getting each of them and then seeing all 240 in one spot...wowie! I don't know if I could pick a single favorite because there are so many neat ones and I like them all.

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Lavandula - Oct 3, 2007 1:44 pm (#2595 of 2984)

My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came!  

I am sooooooo excited. They are all magnificent!!! All arrived in good shape. I see that my postage was just about right, Denise. Thank you so very much for organizing this. Let's do it again. Hopefully more friends will give it a try. When you see what we did, you'll know that you don't have to be super with a glue gun or paint brush to participate.

Edit to Add: Denise, where are you going on your trip? I can tell it is overseas but that is all without a full search. Sorry that I haven't been around at all since August, but with school back in and the eldest now in high school soccer my days are so packed. Once the weather turns chilly and outdoor activities and gardening are done, I'll be back more. I sure miss all of you so much! I feel like part of my family has gone away for awhile.

Oh, did I forget to tell you... My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came  My Swaps just came!   My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came! My Swaps just came!  My Swaps just came!  

Cathy

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kabloink! - Oct 3, 2007 1:49 pm (#2596 of 2984)

Hmm we had made the very firm decision that we weren't going anywhere for Christmas. In theory, I will still be recovering from having a baby (due Dec 24th but I doubt I'll go that long), and our theory was that we could do dinner at our place, probably more informal than normal, but I can handle a turkey if others bring side dishes to pass. Or, we offered to have dessert at our house. Now, however, his Royal Highness (hubby's brother) will be home from UAE, and thus him, his wife, and two kids will most likely be here for Christmas. Hmm, apparently we are now expected to cart ourselves to wherever they are for the holiday...

I guess I shouldn't be so bitter, I do have a lot more respect for the traveling that Cyndi did with her 4-year-old by herself over the past few years while her hubby was overseas, but still.

Oh! Other sister-in-law (hubby's sister) is expecting now, too! I get to be pregnant with both of my sisters-in-law, two years in a row. Its pretty cool, she's due sometime in late May. I'm very excited for her, she's been trying to convince her hubby to have a baby for awhile now. I just hope she has a boy, her and her daughter are far too girly-girly for her poor hubby (who is an athletic trainer, and thus very much a sports guy) a boy should balance things, I think.

Ok, I'm off to close up. Then I have tomorrow off-yay!

EDIT: This whole swap thing sounds fun. Perhaps next time I will try, but I'm still trying to get together my wedding album (we've been married since Feb of 04), so it might not be a great idea...

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PeskyPixie - Oct 3, 2007 2:03 pm (#2597 of 2984)

Best wishes for healthy happy babies for all expecting parents. That's the most important thing ... although I am partial to little girls.

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Holly T. - Oct 3, 2007 5:03 pm (#2598 of 2984)

My swaps are here!!! The kids and I had a blast looking at them.

Kabloink, my son's baby book is a box of miscellaneous items. He's 9. You don't need to finish the wedding album before you make swaps.

Monday night I went to hear Al Gore speak. Last night I went to a lecture by former Ambassador Bob Krueger and his wife, Kathleen, plus Paul R.--the guy from Hotel Rwanda. Not the guy from the movie. The man from Rwanda. Tonight--my Girl Scout meeting!

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Betty Boop - Oct 3, 2007 6:34 pm (#2599 of 2984)

Denise, have a safe fun trip.

I went to see The Game Plan, cute movie.

Healing charms to whom needs them.

hugs always

boop

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painting sheila - Oct 3, 2007 6:55 pm (#2600 of 2984)

The big kids and I went to swing dance lessons tonight. Hubby had the day from "the hot place" at work so he begged off. It was fun.

I am so ready for bed - but my house is a mess and more dresses to alter are coming tomorrow. I really should be sewing.

I think I am going to take a shower and go to bed. Maybe tomorrow will look better from the bright side of the morning. (sigh)

Edit: Tazzy - I just got the mom thing in another email. Ha!!

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Solitaire - Oct 3, 2007 8:11 pm (#2601 of 2984)

Thanks, Journeymom. My first period did a fair job of things, so I was stunned by the ineptitude of periods 2 & 4. Thankfully, period 5 kids were pretty savvy. I had a few who were brand new to tech, but they were smart enough to catch on quickly.

Last year, most of my 7th graders entered the year with a pretty good working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Netiquette, etc. More than half my students carried flash-drives and used them competently. Parents checked assignments on my class webpage, tracked online grades, and some stayed in touch each week via email to track behavior and progress of their at-risk kids. Many kids who were out sick or on vacation sent their assignments via email. This year has been a HUGE contrast. It will take a while to acclimate.

Sheila, just look up the numbers of some local seamstresses and have them ready. Tell the parents you are SOOOOO sorry--if only they'd called a week or two ago --but you will be away for the weekend ... and then GO! Even though the kids are in high school, I wouldn't blame them too quickly. Shouldn't their parents have thought to have the kids try on the dresses when they brought them home?

Sheila! You need to start using the "N" word ... NO ... as in "I'm so sorry, but no ... I won't be able to help out this time." Unless, of course, they are paying you REALLY well.

Solitaire

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Holly T. - Oct 3, 2007 8:25 pm (#2602 of 2984)

The lady from the Girl Scout council called yesterday to ask me to please teach a training class this Saturday. I said no. I was so proud of myself. Not that I've been sitting around bored, LOL.

Did I mention that I love the swaps?

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 3, 2007 10:45 pm (#2603 of 2984)

Never heard of cat scratch disease. Puck

Ever heard of “Cat Scratch Fever" by Ted Nugent?

Soli, my husband always waxes on about the self-cleaning toilets on the streets in Paris. After you are done, the door closes and disinfectant sprays all the surfaces and rinses clean. Every person entering has a freshly cleaned bathroom. He wants a house like that.

Kenneth Branaugh is on Conan O’Brian, he looks really different!

I am on the PTO’s Cultural Arts Committee at my kids’ school. We worked hard all summer to find great stuff to bring in. I worked on bringing in a salt water touch tank. I talked with the maritime education facility, then with the teachers, principal and back to maritime folks. I thought we were all on board and understood what was going on. Between the new block schedule at the school and the low tides (yes!) the prearranged time for installing the tank changed. I conferred with the teachers and the principal arranged for new times.

Well don’t you know it, the teachers were upset that the time wasn’t good for them, the students couldn't be there because they had specials and the teachers think the tank is a good idea could we bring it back in the spring when they can work it into the curriculum. Ughhh! We wanted the tank in the spring but we told it couldn't get it then! The kids do seem to love it though.

My girls joined the Girls Scouts for the first time ever. It wasn't love at first sight. But then even our troops leader wasn't happy and said she's never doing this again.

Lol Soli!

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Puck - Oct 4, 2007 3:43 am (#2604 of 2984)

Lovely attitude for a Scout Leader. One thing if she says it at home, but to voice it in front of girls and parents?!

My first Daisy meeting is the 12th, and I'm quite excited about it. Reminds me, must get my home study answer sheets in the mail. (I did leader training at home.)

I always expect kids to get technology better than I do. I was at a woman's house for First Aide/CPR last week. I was shocked that neither she nor either of her two teenagers could work the DVD player so we could watch. (In their own house.)

Azi, is the song "I feel Pretty" from West Side Story floating around your head? Glad you had so much fun. I still love playing dress-up.

I can't believe I missed the whole SWAPs thing. I can't take anymore forum vacations, as I don't want to miss the next one. Glad the rest of you are enjoying them.

Sorry the tank has caused you so much trouble, Mrs. Sirius.

Time to wake the kidlets up for school.

Kathy

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Accio Sirius - Oct 4, 2007 4:38 am (#2605 of 2984)

I'm in SWAP heaven!!! They were waiting for us last night when we got home (very late) from the circus! We opened them this morning and Little Miss Sirius almost missed her bus because we kept poring over them! They are soooo cute!! I love each and every one of them. Now, I just have to think of proper and cute way to display them. Kudos to Denise for arranging everything! I'm also up for another round whenever as we already have at least three viable ideas floating around!

The Big Apple Circus was fun, although I wouldn't recommend it on a school night. It was a long drive for us, but the stuff people can do is just amazing. This was my first circus. I've always avoided them because I don't like the ones that use animals. This one is mostly freakishly nimble humans, a few really cute dogs and some horses. They have a whole policy on the use of animals, which at least seems like a step in the right direction. Very fun.

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painting sheila - Oct 4, 2007 4:45 am (#2606 of 2984)

Soli - They had offered to pay but I told them to just give a donation to the arts program at school. I am now second guessing myself. With all that is needed to do on the dresses the money I would have made could buy me the house in my avatar!!

Off to fold laundry.

Have a great day every one!

She

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Puck - Oct 4, 2007 5:48 am (#2607 of 2984)

Sheila, somehow I knew you weren't accepting money for all that work.

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 4, 2007 6:12 am (#2608 of 2984)

Lovely attitude for a Scout Leader. One thing if she says it at home, but to voice it in front of girls and parents?! Puck

Whoooops, that should have read the scout leaders daughter said she hates it and wasn't going to do it again. Our leader is a lovely gracious lady who wouldn't say such a thing.

I Feel Pretty or Princess Diaries, azi!

Yes Soli, people with are ADD (now called Executive function ADD) should not schedule things.

Oh yes Kim, scheduling Christmas and other holidays is difficult. When my mother was around she always insisted we be with her for every holiday. Since she has died, we only have my mother-in-law, and she really doesn't care one way or the other come for the holiday or don't. It's actually kind of lonely not having family around for the kids.

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Marie E. - Oct 4, 2007 7:52 am (#2609 of 2984)

My SWAPS came in yesterday!!! I thought ours were pretty cute until I saw all the others. Shayla is already brainstorming ideas for the next SWAP exchange. Lexi thinks they're cute, but she's not as in to it as Shay and I. I can't wait until everyone has theirs so we show them off.

Lovely fall weather holding out so far. I'm trying not to say or even think the "s" word (snow)

I want to be a pirate for Halloween, but I may have to buy a men's costume. The women's costumes are...er...let's say risque. Probably not appropriate attire for a daycare center.

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Holly T. - Oct 4, 2007 8:18 am (#2610 of 2984)

Azi, I think everyone should feel self-confident while wearing a tiara. Sounds like fun! My daughter took a tiara with her to Girl Scout camp--she said that even if you are covered in mud you can still be a princess. Since she did Survivor camp she spent most of the week filthy. At the end of the week campfire she wore her tiara on top of her tribe bandana. One of the other camps was "spa" camp--they do yoga and make lip gloss--my daughter says "that's not camp." At the end of the week they were all still nice and clean and looking askance at the Survivor girls. But, my daughter said, none of them had a tiara.

I had a professor who couldn't work a cassette player. He had a Pulitzer Prize in history, but he couldn't work a tape player.

Mrs. Sirius--sometimes leader's daughters have issues with Girl Scouts because they don't like their mom paying attention to the other girls.

Draco's leg is still sore. I guess we shouldn't expect to see a change in the lump so soon. He's taking his meds. We turned in the paper with our requests for teacher conference times.

My mom doesn't really care about who goes where on the holidays. Her main motivation is to guilt trip me. At some point in the past 10 years or so I quit letting her guilt trip me and accepted that one of her main goals in life is for me to be miserable, but that doesn't mean that her guilt trip attempts aren't annoying. Especially since, unlike her, I am actually trying to NOT be rude.

Sheila, sending sewing charms your way!

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journeymom - Oct 4, 2007 9:01 am (#2611 of 2984)

--sometimes leader's daughters have issues with Girl Scouts because they don't like their mom paying attention to the other girls. Holly T.

Huh. That's something to think about.

Who mentioned the guy portrayed in Hotel Rwanda? His name is Paul Rusesabagina. What a mouthful! That's another movie to add to my list of movies I'd like to see but don't have the fortitude to do so.

Edited to say, That was you as well, Holly, right? Didn't you show An Inconvenient Truth to your girls? I suggested that in passing to my co-leader. She said, 'How interesting!' and dropped it. She's probably right to nix the idea, as our parents might not appreciate us 'agendizing' their daughters.

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Puck - Oct 4, 2007 10:03 am (#2612 of 2984)

Hotel Rwanda is saved on my TiVo, so I can watch it someday.

Mrs. Sirus, that puts a different spin on things. Hoping my Diva will love it.

Holly, your daughter has true class. Very well rounded!

Took the kids costume shopping last night. Son is an Alien, Diva is Sharpee from High School Musical. I'm making a purple people eater costume for toddler, which means I get to be a purple person.

Off to do some chores.

Kathy

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Choices - Oct 4, 2007 11:07 am (#2613 of 2984)

OK, my curiosity is going into over-drive. I want to know about these "swaps" - what are they, what do they look like and what do you do with them once you get them? Are they collectibles or do you just keep them a few days and then chunk them. Are they all HP related? Please post if you did a swap item and tell us what you made and describe how it looks. :-)

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Holly T. - Oct 4, 2007 11:48 am (#2614 of 2984)

Journeymom, I got to go hear Paul Ruesabagina speak Tuesday night. I showed An Inconvenient Truth to my Girl Scouts last year, not Hotel Rwanda. When I showed them AIT I told the parents ahead of time and no one had a problem with it. We took three meetings to watch it and stopped it periodically to talk about it. We found it an excellent springboard into the topic and watching it met at least one requirement for the Eco-Action IP. One thing I have noticed about kids watching AIT is that they are looking at it from a science/environmental viewpoint and don't really get anything political out of it.

Choices, I think when everyone gets their swaps and Denise is back home that there will be many pictures, etc. available of our fabulous swaps.

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Accio Sirius - Oct 4, 2007 11:57 am (#2615 of 2984)

Choices, Swaps is usually Girl Scout related in that your troop makes a bunch of them (according to a theme) so that when they come across other scouts, they can trade them. They usually have a tag with your troop number and location and then you where them on a hat, shirt or bandana. I believe Denise still has some cool links behind her avatar so you can check out traditional types.

All of ours are Harry Potter themed of course and judging from the creativity and quality, no one will be chucking them in the trash anytime soon. Denise has taken pictures of all of ours and will post them when everyone has received them. We'll definitely have to do this again because once people see the pictures, they'll definitely want to join in the fun!

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Madam Pince - Oct 4, 2007 1:03 pm (#2616 of 2984)

Hi all! Back from a somewhat self-imposed Forum break (just to see how long I'd last -- ha! Only about 20 days, which was still way too long!) But I found it pretty easy to catch up on the 300+ chat posts, so woo-hoo!

Let's see -- I took notes, so here we go: Denise, your Indiana owl swap was adorable. Even without seeing these new ones, (which I am dying to see) I can tell already that I will not be able to join in. My creativity and artistic ability is in the negative numbers. I would be too embarrassed. Also, hope you have a great time on your trip! I was going to come on here and post that I'd read in the Times that they have gotten "caught up" on all the backlog of passports and that they are proceeding at the normal speed now, but of course you know that already now.

Mediwitch, yay and yahoo on getting into the new house! How about a virtual crock-pot full of BBQ ribs for your housewarming present? I'll throw in some cornbread and red-eye gravy to boot! (Soli, don't knock it 'til you've tried it -- it's great! But not as good as my mom's squirrel gravy... *waves at Finn*)

TBE, I'm so sorry to hear about your hubby's health issues but I'm glad they have gotten them straightened out now hopefully! And here's hoping you stay healthy, too! Healing charms and lots of niacin to you!

Eponine, sorry too about hubby's kidney stones. We know all about those here; Mr. Pince has had about six or so since I've known him. They are not fun at all. Oh, and you asked about raspberry bushes? Now would be a good time to prune them I think, and you can prune them hard. Get rid of any dead ones altogether (ie: trim to the ground) and you can trim all the rest so they're just a foot-long stick sticking up out of the ground. You'll feel terrible doing it, but don't worry, they'll be fine. There's lots of Google sites to tell you where to cut -- it's easier if you have a picture in front of you.

Kabloink, hope things are going better now with hubby's job and all, and that he's doing better after surgery.

Azi, hope things are more cheery your way, too -- it sounds like they are from your description of your "girly day." Remember that episode of Friends where all the girls tried on wedding dresses and then sat around the apartment drinking beers? LOL! Some of my girlfriends and I tried on these ridiculously expensive formal dresses at Macy's or Saks or something like that when we went to New York a couple years ago -- they were thousands of dollars. It was remarkably therapeutic. I was very impressed with how the expensive dresses have all the corsets and such-like already sewn into the dress, and it made me feel better thinking "No wonder all the starlets look so great on the red carpets; even I can look great with all this support!"

Sheila, how did the toilet flappers escapade go? It is remarkable to me how many different varieties of them there are, and how we always manage to buy the wrong one every single time. I'm with you; I'd almost just rather get a whole new thing.

Kay, congrats on the new van! Woo-hoo!

Lina, I'm with you on the movie The Natural -- I just don't get it. It's one of Mr. Pince's favorite movies, but I just don't understand. And it's not because it's a sports movie, because I understand sports and normally love sports movies.

Holly, that is sooooooo cool that your local school was used for Friday Night Lights!!!! That is one of my favorite shows! Ooooooo, maybe you'll get to catch a glimpse of Kyle Chandler (aka Coach Eric or Bomb-Squad Guy...)! I am still scratching my head over why the network scheduled that show for Friday nights, though. TV Guide said they did it because of the name being too confusing for some people. However, hellloooooo??? Friday nights is exactly when a large portion of the fan base will be where? Attending a high-school football game! Duh! Oh well. Also, glad Daughter Hermione is getting A's in school, and tell Son Draco that even if he gets D behaviors, he's giving everyone in Forum-verse a daily chuckle! (Our school doesn't do weekly behavior reports -- I wish they did. We've had some... ummm... "issues" I guess? I don't know how reliable the 5-year-old reports that I am getting are, either. And his teacher told us that she "doesn't do" e-mail, which I found surprising because she seems very communicative. She was the only one to hold a K open-house. Oh well. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best. No news is good news, right?)

I can't believe I forgot "Talk Like A Pirate Day." Bad, bad me.

Someone asked about favorite new TV shows -- my first random observation is that it's quite a change going from summer fare (which was practically NO shows at all that I wanted to see) to now there are competing shows on at the same time and also coinciding with bedtime which is forcing lots of VCR recording and is trying my patience. Anyway, I've only gotten to see half of the first Survivor and I definitely cannot stand the waitress from NYC -- is she Courtney? Yech. I have very much enjoyed the new shows Chuck and also Pushing Daisies which premiered last night. Jim Dale narrating -- woo-hoo! It makes me jump every time an ad comes on because I think it's something Potter-related. I was bummed though because they killed off a dog in literally the first ten seconds of the show, and I hate it when shows kill the animal. But, ... well... you have to watch.

I read that Lost won't be starting up again until February, but it sounds like there is some debate and it might actually end up being late January. Either way... Season Three DVDs aren't out until 12/11/07. Arrrrghhhh.... I'm already forgetting the thread of what was going on...

Oh, my "birthday song" was I Want To Hold Your Hand by the Beatles. I never did like the Beatles, but probably everyone else would say this is a classic, so I guess it's OK.

Everyone enjoy the RotD!

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azi - Oct 4, 2007 1:49 pm (#2617 of 2984)

Madam Pince, that was some post! I hope Little P doesn't get into any more trouble! I know exactly what you mean about corsets - I tried one at my friends house and WOW! I'm sure you look great without needing to go to celebrity lengths (I find they generally look ill, just my opinion though). Welcome back as well.

I hope everyone will have received their swaps soon so we can see pictures!

Our old neighbours moved out today. Finally! No idea who the new ones are as no one has moved in yet (house doesn't actually say sold either...). **finger's crossed** they're nice! I think they were visiting around tea time, just when we were embroiled in our daily dinnertime row. Great first impression...

Lovely day to all!

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Madam Pince - Oct 4, 2007 2:33 pm (#2618 of 2984)

Yeah, it dragged on... didn't seem so long while I was writing it. That's what I get for being gone so long and wanting to respond to so many people...

I have a meeting tonight at 6:00. Reckon I'll get back to do dinner/bath/bedtime and all this in time for Survivor? I say no chance, what say you guys? I think I'll be searching for a bit of blank tape for the VCR again...

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painting sheila - Oct 4, 2007 2:48 pm (#2619 of 2984)

(mumble mumble mumble ) I have 7 dresses to alter!!! Help!! I'm drowning!!

Yes. Puck I am a crazy sewing fool!

Madame Pince - the toilet flappers worked like a dream!! Getting the whole kit together in one box and replacing everything at the same time was the ticket I think.

Got wig, beard and bushey eye brows for hubby. He is a part of a scavenger hunt tonight. Kids from church are going to the mall looking for members of our church in disguise, I hope he fools 'em.

Car died this morning and it's in the shop. We haven' t heard from them all day. Is that a good sign or a bad sign?

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Lina - Oct 4, 2007 3:16 pm (#2620 of 2984)

Healing charms to Holly's son and so many other people that obviously need it!

As Azi, I still keep my welcoming e-mail and its date is July 9, 2004 as my first post at the "Tell about yourself thread". It was fun to search some old posts and conversations. I remember thinking that Soli was a member for years at that time...

Felix Felicis to Azi for the new neighbors! I hope they will be some pleasant ones.

Those are nice posts, after you are absent for a while, Madam Pince, they can remind us skimmers if we forget something.

Strengthening charms to you, Sheila. I think you should really take Soli's advice. Watch my lips and repeat after me: "N O". When you finish the dresses, take a quill and a parchment and write down "No" a hundred times. Reparo charms to your car too!

Kate tells me it is a Teacher's Day tomorrow. I don't know if it is worldwide or not, but I will take the opportunity to say THANKS to all the teachers!

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Puck - Oct 4, 2007 4:22 pm (#2621 of 2984)

Ahh, dance class down. Hubby is doing a dinner meeting thing in the city and won't be home until late. Since there is no school tomorrow (teacher work day), I took the kids out to dinner, and now they are watching a Winnie the Pooh Halloween video.

Son had his first real spelling test today. He got 80%, so not bad. It seems as if letter grading and test taking starts in second grade around here.

Kitchen to clean. I keep getting part way through, then have to go on to something else. By the time I get back to it, more mess has accumulated, and it's worse than before I started cleaning.

Perhaps if I tell myself I cannot watch survivor until it's done, I'll make it through the whole thing tonight.

Welcome back Madame Pince! Diva and Little Pince seem cut from a similar mold. She's mentioned having a few time outs -always along with a particular friend. I haven't gotten a note from the teacher, however, so I assume she's not that out of hand.

Kathy

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Chemyst - Oct 4, 2007 5:18 pm (#2622 of 2984)

Sheila, would you do me a favor?

*holds out a dress needing altering*  





 **waves back to Brightwater**

. . .my son's baby book is a box of miscellaneous items. He is 9.
Holly, mine too! The baby book being a box, that is; my oldest is in his early 20's now. After the first 10 years I told myself that a box is really better than a book after all because it can hold a rattle and his first matchbox car. We are indeed innovative geniuses, aren't we?. (I did buy a nicer box to replace the shirt box, that ought to count for something.)

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Choices - Oct 4, 2007 5:26 pm (#2623 of 2984)

Thanks to all who gave info on the swaps. Now I am looking forward to seeing the pictures. :-)

Tomorrow is Friday - hope everyone has a good day and a great weekend to follow. Love and {{{hugs}}} to all.

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painting sheila - Oct 4, 2007 7:11 pm (#2624 of 2984)

Chemyst - :pdpb:  Avada Kedavra

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Madam Pince - Oct 4, 2007 9:25 pm (#2625 of 2984)

Did Sheila just cast the Dark Mark?  

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journeymom - Oct 4, 2007 10:17 pm (#2626 of 2984)

No, she just caved. Again! Lol!

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painting sheila - Oct 5, 2007 5:19 am (#2627 of 2984)

Let's not think of it as "caving" per se, let's think of it as extending myself to help someone in need . . .? Okay. You're right. I caved.(sigh) I think it's an illness.

On another note, How do you find your first post? I thought it was on Chat and greeting for me but can only go back as far as July of this year.

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kaykay1970 - Oct 5, 2007 5:54 am (#2628 of 2984)

Yay! It's Friday! My kids are out of school all next week for Fall Break! Tonight kicks off our town Appreciation Days weekend. My band boys will be playing tonight. Eldest son and his friends are playing an extra piece that they practiced in their free time. One pianist, two percussionists and my trumpeter will be playing "One Winged Angel", the main boss battle music from Final Fantasy VII. I've listened to the very high pitched trumpet portions of the song many times! I can hardly wait to hear the whole song with the other musicians bits added in!

Next Thursday, my college girl will be home for a 4 day weekend! Yay! On Saturday the 13th my niece is getting married, so it's nice that my whole family will get to attend the wedding! WooHoo!

My first post was Aug 9, 2005 on the Tell About Yourself thread.

Sending out all the appropriate charms where needed...

I'll be waiting to see pictures of all the swaps!

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Madam Pince - Oct 5, 2007 6:42 am (#2629 of 2984)

We could just say Sheila is like Harry and has a "saving-people thing."

Today is a mess. It was supposed to be school field trip day to the pumpkin farm from 9-11:30. Then I found out my relatives are selling part of the family home place (long story; don't want to know) and they decided to hold a big auction to get rid of all the "junk" that's in the place, some of which I undoubtedly will want because it's my grandparents' stuff. Sale is tomorrow at 10:00 am, in a place 5 hours away. OK, so short-notice trip planned down there -- it's all good because we'll just take Little P out of school right after the field trip and leave then. (Mr. P refuses to drive the DC Beltway anytime after 2:00pm.) So far, so good. Except last night Little P starts coming down with either cold or allergies, not sure which. Then this morning school has a 90-minute fog delay, which according to the field trip permission slip means the pumpkin farm thing is cancelled and will be re-scheduled next week sometime. OK, so still good. Maybe we'll just skip school altogether and he won't miss anything -- yay. So just now the phone rings and it's the room mom saying "Good news! We've managed to re-schedule the pumpkin farm trip; they'll go this afternoon after lunch! Isn't that great?" Probably for everyone else, yes; for us, not so much. His cold/allergy is not too bad this morning, so I would've probably let him go, but now I think it's not really worth it -- school won't start until 10:30 and Mr. P wants to pick him up at 11:30. No refunds on the field trip money if you're absent, too. Aaaaaargh! And he'll miss soccer pictures tomorrow, too. I don't know who I'm more irritated with -- my relatives for scheduling this sale at such an inconvenient time, or Mr. P for not being willing to just let me drive down there by myself while he stays here with Little P and does the school / soccer picture thing. Sigh...

OK, so that was a totally selfish rant. I'm done now.

I forgot one other TV show thing -- I am soooooo upset about last week's Meerkat Manor. I could never be one of those nature photographers -- how they can just stand by and photograph when awful things are happening is more than I can grasp. I'd never make it...

Have a great weekend everyone! Friday Night Lights premieres tonight! Also, the Pushing Daisies pilot with Jim Dale is airing again tonight in the U.S. if you missed it the other day -- it's worth a look! And Tom Selleck is on Las Vegas now (I show I've never watched), but hey, he's always worth a look, too! Enjoy the RotD!

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Herm oh ninny - Oct 5, 2007 8:09 am (#2630 of 2984)

Hi all! I also still have my welcome e-mail and it says I joined the forum August 28, 2004. Wow! It doesn't feel like it's been that long!

Sheila- It's times like this when a nice house elf would come in handy. (a well treated and paid one that is )

Madam Pince- I had a similar rant about Meekrat Manor a few weeks ago! I was soo mad that they just let the poor pups die! I was like "someone please pick him up and put him back in his nest!!" I could never work on that show.

After work tonight (at Huntington learning center) we are having a party for the kids who participated in the summer reading adventure program. My supervisor sent me an e-mail today reminding me about it and also to let me know that I read 12 books this summer which means I beat out all the other staff!

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Accio Sirius - Oct 5, 2007 8:49 am (#2631 of 2984)

I saw that episode of Meerkat Manor too. I told my daughter that if I were the filmmakers, I would have taken poor Squiggy to a zoo. I mean aren't they already being evasive by sticking giant collars on them and shoving cameras into their homes? If the pack leaves the pups behind, what's the point of walking away while they die? Wouldn't you as a caring human at least take them to a zoo? Sorry. I still have the latest episode in my TiVo play list. Thanks for the heads up. Little Miss Sirius takes it all to heart too.

Madame Pince, sorry for your troubles. As they say, all the best planning. My daughter is home sick today too, a slight fever, sore throat, etc. Isn't the Beltway maddening. There is no thing as rush hour. It's rush day every day.

We've been recording shows like crazy too. After a summer TV drought, our TiVo is full. As for the new stuff, I like Chuck and Pushing Daisies. I thought Bionic Woman was disappointing--I like the bad fembot much better. Dirty Sexy Money didn't do much for me either. Nothing I love love love yet.

Tomorrow's our neighborhood Arts festival: Art on the Avenue. It's always a good time, I just hope the weather cooperates! If could only display the SWAPS, I know they would be a hit.

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Puck - Oct 5, 2007 11:52 am (#2632 of 2984)

**hands a calming draught to Madame Pince***

Mr. Puck would be happy to skip the 5 hour drive and dealing with my relatives.

Kaykay, have a great time! Sounds like fun!

We went hiking with some neighbors this morning. Now, all the kids are watching a movie. (Toddler is napping.)

Off to work on the Purple People Eater costume.

Kathy

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Holly T. - Oct 5, 2007 12:04 pm (#2633 of 2984)

Nice to see you back Madam Pince! How's this--some day we can meet in person, then we can watch an episode of Friday Night Lights and I can show you all the places that are near my house. Hey, I know--we can meet at Sheila's house! She won't mind.

Have fun Kaykay!

My daughter has been kind of raspy voiced from allergy drainage all week and now she has completely lost her voice. She can't even whisper. She called me when she got to school this morning so I wouldn't worry about her and I talked and she coughed once for yes and two for no. She isn't running a fever or anything and there's no way I could get her into the doctor this afternoon. She just can't talk. It's kind of like when she was 3 and used to pretend that the sea witch stole her voice. They are rehearsing for a scene in her drama class that they are going to film next week and she is concerned about how she is going to do this not being able to talk. I told her that in a real production they would go to an understudy, but, since they don't have one, simply rewrite part of the script (her group wrote the script themselves) to explain that her character has lost her voice, or that her friends made a bet with her to not talk for the entire day, whatever, and that she will actually have to act more being unable to talk. We'll see how this goes.

In other news, the fourth Percy Jackson book is titled The Battle of the Labyrinth and a picture of its cover is on the Publishers Weekly web site and Rick Riordan's blog. My son is super excited and can't wait for the book to come out on May 6. This is as exciting to him as the HP books are for us. Because, in addition to being an aspiring Death Eater, young Draco is also a half-blood, a son of Apollo. He has a pretty convincing argument that his science teacher is one of the Furies sent to spy on him.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 5, 2007 12:34 pm (#2634 of 2984)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL CANADIANS OF THE FORUM!!!!!

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Accio Sirius - Oct 5, 2007 12:39 pm (#2635 of 2984)

By the way, I meant invasive in my last post. Oops. Holly, I wonder if allergies are part of my daughter's problems. She's lost her voice too. We're doing the ginger ale, soup and movies on the couch thing.

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends.

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journeymom - Oct 5, 2007 1:09 pm (#2636 of 2984)

Happy Thanksgiving, Neighbors!

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Steve Newton - Oct 5, 2007 1:49 pm (#2637 of 2984)

painting sheila, I found that lots of whining worked fine for finding my first post. Kip showed great mercy but said, "No more."

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megfox* - Oct 5, 2007 3:33 pm (#2638 of 2984)

Yay, I got my SWAPS! There were probably there yesterday, but we didn't check the mail. I was too tired to walk all the way down there. They are super-cute! Maddy also loves them. A little too much... I had to put them away after a few minutes!

We got new laptops from school today. The state of Maine gave a 14 inch MacBook to every high school teacher in the state. I had been using an 11 inch iBook, and this SO MUCH COOLER. And it has a ton of cool software and it is shiny and brand spanking new, whereas my old laptop was a refurbished Middle School version. One of the coolest things about teaching in Maine is how much value the state holds for teaching students to use technology, and therefore, how much support they give the teachers to do this. Every Middle Schooler gets a laptop to use, and our High School has over 200 laptops (for 1100 students) on carts that we can request to use in our classrooms.

The only bad part of this whole thing is the keyboard keys are different, and I keep missing letters... In that sentence alone, I had to go back and add in 3 letters. Its like the keys are not as sensitive as my old one... So if my posts look weird, that's why. I am especially having a difficult time with vowels.

Holly and Accio, seeing as how your healing charms worked so well on my daughter, I am sending some your ways for your daughters...

I had more to write, but dinner is ready, so I have to go...

Have a nice night everyone!

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Denise P. - Oct 5, 2007 7:57 pm (#2639 of 2984)

Hi all! Marking my spot from Vancouver. It has been great seeing friends I have known for 11+ years, meeting new ones, reliving wonderful memories and just having fun. We had a lot of panels today, including a 2 hour hand to hand knife class. That was great fun but I would throw the knife, scream and flee rather than attempt anything LOL Tomorrow is another fun filled day as is Sunday and then back home.

I will post pictures of all swaps once Lizzy in Australia gets hers. Marie, you and your girls *did* make cute swaps. I loved them and they were not anything that I would have thought of. Everyone did a fantastic job.

Okay, a group is behind me yelling for me to get off the internet and come have more fun. See you all later!

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John Bumbledore - Oct 5, 2007 8:45 pm (#2640 of 2984)

Okay, a group is behind me yelling for me to get off the Internet and come have more fun. — Denise P.

Said the woman who lives with a group of her own.

Does that make her and Mr. P. the GROUPIES? or the GROUPERS?

I'd also say what's more fun than sharing your fun with us?

I'm sure there was more that I wanted to say but now I can't remember. Too tired I guess. I suppose I need some help remembering; Sheila, have a moment?

Waves (((hugs))) and charms every which way they're needed.

Dearest Beloved Wife volunteered me to be a soccer coach. Then decided to run a test and "let me" make all the dinners for about two solid weeks. She is so proud that I turned out to be a more accomplished cook then "I thought."

As for me, I'm tired. And much less regretful of those bad things I thought about her when she was reading in the bedroom while I was hustling my [BEEP] off in the kitchen and all across town to be the soccer coach.

Tired now. Good night. Wanted to spend more time here, sorry. It's another three or four week of soccer games every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I'll have to search the pool tomorrow for leaks, glad the 90 degree highs have returned.

Oh, and we got a bit of rain today! Hooray! Hooray!

Sad part is we need so much more it would require a tropical storm to come inland and sit over us for a day or three.

Happy RotD to all, my bed is calling me.

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 5, 2007 10:42 pm (#2641 of 2984)

Wee, I am going to New York City with my kids this weekend. We'll stay at my cousins, she lives in Brooklyn, but close enough. Originally we were going to the city for my XX college class reunion. But my husband the recluse, doesn't want to go. But I am so happy to finally take the kids to New York that I will forgive him that. I may still drop by on campus when we visit his mother on Long Island.

Oh, a quick update for those of you who tolerated my kvetching about my various pains. I thought this summer that I may have contracted Lyme disease. I kept going back to my doctor, and the chiropractor and but the test was negative. Well, it seems that I had Fifth disease. It's a childhood disease harmless in kids. In adults it can result in continuing joint pain but otherwise harmless.

Today there was no school. It was a professional day for the teacher so this is a four day weekend. At this point the 5 day school week is the rarity.

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Puck - Oct 6, 2007 4:36 am (#2642 of 2984)

Hello!

Just a quick pop in, as I have to leave soon for dance class.

I feel quite informed because you people. Last night we were watching 5th grader. The contestant was 18 years old, and top of her recently graduated class. They stated that her SAT scores had been 2100. Hubby remarked about the high scores, as most contestants had been 1000 points lower. Thanks to you, I knew that the reason was that the system had changed, 1600 no longer being a perfect score. Always good to feel smart around the hubby.

John, ahhh. I understand. That's how I feel when Mr. Puck is playing video games while I'm trying to clean up from dinner, bathe 3 kids, and get them all into bed so I can fold a mountain of laundry.

Cheers!

Kathy

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painting sheila - Oct 6, 2007 5:41 am (#2643 of 2984)

Let's see . . .

Yes! Please do come over and watch Friday Might Lights and John, you're invited too. I will cook dinner for you, and finish any purple people eating costume that isn't done. Throw the kids in the car and I will give them baths and make sure they don't drown one another while you all sit a recline and play video games on your lap tops while enjoying the show. I can't go on a hike for you since I have 5 more choir dresses to alter plus modify a dress for a young lady at church who would like to be more modest tonight at Homecoming!

Whew! I can't believe I just volunteered myself for all of that!!!!! Excuse me while I go slam by hands in the oven door. (Isn't that what good little house elves do when they need to punish themselves?) (snort)

No, really. Let me know if I can help any of you today . . no really!

Yeah John and Eponine! We finally got rain!!! Just 2 feet more to go and we will be out of this extreme drought!

(I think I use to many exclamation points in my writing. Hmm - How else and I going to show enthusiasm and energy!? Jeez!)

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jose043 - Oct 6, 2007 6:01 am (#2644 of 2984)

Hi All

Healing Charms to all that Need them Happy birthday to any we have missed.

I have my three grandkids Teegan, Mitchell & Lachlan from Monday morning till Wednesday afternoon when their Dad will pick them up after work. They are Anne's Niece & two Nephews. It is their second week of school holidays, that we have them.

Josephine & Anne.

Little Werewolves of London

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Solitaire - Oct 6, 2007 8:42 am (#2645 of 2984)

The state of Maine gave a 14 inch MacBook to every high school teacher in the state.

Meg, I have a MacBook Pro here at home--I'm on it at this moment--and I LOVE it! I wish our school would go Mac! Our tech has gone Mac in his office and at home, and we do have an Apple Cart of 10 smaller MacBooks ... so perhaps it is a matter of time! **fingers crossed**

You will soon get used to the slightly different "feel" of the keyboard. I did ... and now the school's Tecra and all of the PC keyboards feel weird to me. I have to work harder on them, too. My Mac has a much softer touch, which is welcome to my arthritic fingers and wrist.

I am so excited! I actually left the lightweight bedspread on my bed last night! It's the first time since about April, I think. Even with the a/c on 78 and the fan over my bed, I never use more than a sheet. I would love to believe that fall has really arrived, but I know it is going to zoom back up into the high 80s next week. Meanwhile, I am savouring the delights of cooler weather, if only for a few days. I only wish I didn't have so much grading and paperwork. I'd love to be outside all weekend.

Well, time to get ready for my niece's baby shower!! Have a great Saturday, everyone!

Solitaire

PS Happy belated Canadian Thanksgiving!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 6, 2007 9:16 am (#2646 of 2984)

Solitaire, not belated, you're right on time! Since Thanksgiving was first established in Canada in 1578 the date has shifted around a bit (Nov. 6 and Oct. 3 are both dates which were used). On January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed, "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the second Monday in October." This day (well, long weekend really) has been maintained as Thanksgiving in Canada ever since ... about a month and a half prior to the fourth Thursday in November when Americans celebrate the day.

Speaking of which, I was supposed to bake the pumpkin pie for tonight, but I think I'll head off to a Farmer's Market and buy one instead!

P.S. Have fun at the baby shower.

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Puck - Oct 6, 2007 10:12 am (#2647 of 2984)

Ahh, so Canadian Thanksgiving is the same day as Columbus day. Convenient for those of us on this side of the pond to have a long weekend at the same time.

No major tears from my little dancers today.

Don't worry, Sheila. I plan to get the purple people eater done myself. I'm loving this pattern. Simpler casings and a velcro closure -so I don't have to do a zipper.

Kathy

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 6, 2007 10:43 am (#2648 of 2984)

YAY! WE GOT OUR SWAPS, TOO! Wow, they are so cool! I know what you mean by liking them all so much! We really enjoyed opening the package and looking at each one. I suppose my ignorance is showing - now I know what you mean by tags. I just thought it needed something saying it was from us but I overlooked the fact that it was going in 15 different directions. Duh. Sorry about that. Anyway, I'm so glad you arranged it, Denise!

Now I'm confused but Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Columbus Day!

My friend said they played the 5th Grader game. I didn't know there was one. Has anyone tried it?

Kathy and Madam P., Trevor seems to have a problem keeping his hands to himself. He's not punching or hurting - he's more the huggy type. I'm trying to impress upon him that it is not appropriate in school. He is getting better.

Enjoy your week with the grandkids, Josephine!

Sending you a good working wand, Sheila.

Enjoy NYC, Mrs. Sirius - you're in my neck of the woods!

Percy returned home with zero ticks and only a few bruises more than she left with. She said she was trying to reach me because she was homesick, though she didn't want to come home. Poor thing. She was a bit teary-eyed when I picked her up. It sure is nice to have her home again. We all missed her. And now, it's time to go tackle the tremendous amount of laundry she brought back so I can find my kitchen floor.

If you can, please remember my neighbor/friend in your prayers. She just found out her mother has two brain tumors. They are unsure of her prognosis. They just lost her MIL about 2 weeks ago. Her son is in class with Percy.

I know I've forgotten a lot - that happens to me often - but prayers, healing charms, and Felix Felicis to those in need.

Maria

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PeskyPixie - Oct 6, 2007 10:52 am (#2649 of 2984)

Happy Thanksgiving, Canadians! Happy Columbus Day, Americans!

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journeymom - Oct 6, 2007 11:00 am (#2650 of 2984)

I remember when we got Columbus day off from school. We don't anymore, but now the schools in the City of Sacramento proper get Caesar Chavez day off. Mr Journeymom the Viking rolls his eyes at Columbus Day. He says we should be celebrating Leif Ericson day. To which I point out that this continent wasn't exactly unpeopled even when Leif Ericson got here.

Speaking of pumpkin pie (Pesky Pixie, I think), we went to our friends' Oktoberfest party last night. They served this really yummy pumpkin dip with Anna's ginger snaps. It was like concentrated pumpkin pie. Too good, with all the sausages, sauerkraut and beer.

Let the Holiday eating commence! (Ugh. I'm never going to lose this weight.)

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 6, 2007 12:37 pm (#2651 of 2984)

LOL, journeymom!

Oh, and I owe Denise a big THANK YOU for providing the tags that I neglected to provide.

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geauxtigers - Oct 6, 2007 2:34 pm (#2652 of 2984)

**lurks back into real world**

Hey everyone! It's been a while! LOL Haven't read anything here, magic button, I've been super busy this past week. Million pounds of homework, swimming, this and that, football game, homecoming stuff ect. So I hope everything is fine in the forum world. Question, can we change our avatars or anything yet? I hate to pester Kip with the question since I've been out of it, there's no telling how many times its been asked...

We played our rival school in football last night, and of course, we lost. That makes 13 straight losses, so as long as the class of 08' has been at our school, we've never beaten then. Oh well, we had more fans than them, and they made some really rude and mean shirts, so we threw it back at them. I'm sure we'll all be getting a talking to come Monday, but it was worth it. :evil grin:

Let's see, tonight is the big game against Florida. They showed someone on ESPN Gameday this morning with an entire alligator- a real one by the looks of it- on a rotisery (can't spell) cooking. Lots of Gator Gumbo too. Should be a good game! Record crowd expected, apparently the interstate in BR was stopped with people trying to get on campus. I wish I could go, but I don't feel like being in the car for 2+ hours trying to get there! Geaux Tigers!

So I hope everyone is doing well! And I hope y'all have a great weekend!

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Eponine - Oct 6, 2007 3:59 pm (#2653 of 2984)

We went to the UNC/Miami game today. You know, I really do try to enjoy football, but I have such a hard time! I did get some really yummy ice cream while we were there. My mother-in-law actually came with us today. Apparently, that's the first game she's been to in about 7 years or so, and they've had the tickets for about 20 years.

So, all these swaps that you guys did, are you all in Scouts? Or was this a special Lexicon swap?

I hope everyone has a great RotD!

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Choices - Oct 6, 2007 5:46 pm (#2654 of 2984)

Welcome to our newest forum members - Victoire and Kasey. Hope you have a wonderful time here. Kasey, would love to hear more about your life as a vet in Africa. That sounds so interesting.

Prayers and healing charms to all who need them. Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Love and {{{hugs}}} to all. :-)

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kaykay1970 - Oct 6, 2007 6:38 pm (#2655 of 2984)

I'll definitely keep your friend and her family in my prayers, Maria!

I am so tired. My Little Guy has run me all over the city park today! Hubby and 16 year old won trophies for second place in the corn toss. The next door neighbors brought home first prize. My elder sister made a bundle for the football team. She supervises the in school detention at the high school, so kids were lining up at the dunking booth to get even. LOL The highlight of my day was being the first to send her into the water.

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journeymom - Oct 6, 2007 7:59 pm (#2656 of 2984) Reply
Edited by Kip Carter Oct 6, 2007 8:30 pm

About a week ago I discovered this big, lovely spiral spider web stretched across a walkway, between two bushes. It was shoulder high. The very busy spider was sitting in the center, looking smug. Just your basic brown, stripy spider.

Today, while walking down that path, I walked into the web.

I literally ran screaming, slapping at my head and shoulders, any part of my back I could reach. I went running to Mr Journeymom, and I tried, I really tried to hold it together. But I was terrified that the spider was on me and it was upset and about to dig into to my jugular. I couldn't even explain what happened for a moment, I was blubbering so hard.

The fear was atavistic, primal, straight out of my worst nightmare. And spiders really are what my worst nightmares are about! I've had a few nightmares about being stuck in close quarters with spiders, just beyond the periphery of my vision. *shudders* Ugh. I'm getting the creepy crawlies just writing it out. That poor spider! It really was a nice web. My higher brain knows spiders are a necessary part of life, God's creation and all that. My hind brain just wants them dead.

Enough of that! I'm off to make Snickerdoodles.

 Edit: I changed one portion of one sentence to keep this post Forum friendly. – Kip

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virginiaelizabeth - Oct 6, 2007 10:31 pm (#2657 of 2984)

HEY EVERYONE!

It's been quite a while, but as Tori said, it's been busy around here!

journeymom, I know exactly how you feel! I would probably have had a heart attack if I did that because I know exactly what kind of spider you are talking about! Now I have the creepy crawlies too! **shudders**

Speaking of heart attacks... I nearly had one watching the LSU game! Man that was a tough one, but in the end we WON!! And on an even happier note, USC lost to Stanford!!! Now the polls can't ignore this one and give USC another rating that they don't deserve! WooHoo! They announced it in Tiger Stadium and we almost had another earthquake game! I wish I could've been there! Just been a great night for football!!!

Now it's time for me to go to bed! Night everyone!

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Puck - Oct 7, 2007 5:40 am (#2658 of 2984)

*passes a calming draught to Ron -I mean Journeymom* (Is it mean to admit I chuckled as I imagined this scene?)

I was thinking of you the other morning, Tori! They were talking about the LSU game on the news. Apparently, they have a real tiger caged where the opposing team will have to walk past it on their way into the stadium.

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Accio Sirius - Oct 7, 2007 5:53 am (#2659 of 2984)

Journeymom, Calming draughts to you! I'm the same way with spiders that are any where near me. I don't mind them in theory, just not on me!

There was a very industrious spider that built a web from our house to the flag pole just outside the kitchen window and under the front door light. Lots of bugs gather there and she was taking in a huge haul every night. We would turn on the light when it got dark, watch her fix her web, then sit and wait and eventually strike. It was very cool, except, we all noted, she was a fairly large spider and after one particularly busy night, she was HUGE just the next evening. We're talking 2 1/2 inches with a big brown body and striped brown legs. We could watch her so closely through the window, you could see her fangs! Mr. Sirius had to change the flag, and she never rebuilt. I feel bad and relieved at the same time. She could have easily jumped us at the door!

Off to the movies today--daughter is feeling better (thanks for the healing charms!) Then it's football and laundry.

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 7, 2007 7:06 am (#2660 of 2984)

Mr. Sirius had to change the flag, and she never rebuilt. She could have easily jumped us at the door! ~ Accio Sirius

So now, where is she? **evil grin**

I don't mind them all that much outside. But sometimes, that's not where they stay, is it? BTW, Trevor loves spiders. I can't count how many spider books I've read him, how many spiders he's saved from our house and how many we've watched outside.

Hooray for kaykay that oldest daughter is coming home for a visit!

Thanks, kaykay, for the prayers. And w00t to your men for 2nd place! (What is a corn toss, anyway? Is it still stupid question day? ) It sounds like you've had some fun lately.

Our Raiders are on a Bye-week. We get a break.

Last night I went into the kitchen and was met by a lake of water where it meets the dining room. It turns out the hose on our filter (reverse-osmosis) was spewing out water like a sprinkler head. Percy and I hastened to get some towels and large pots in an attempt to sop up some of the lake and get the spraying under control. It was like the Keystone Cops. I laid a hand towel over it to direct the water downward and tried to close up the hole. After about 10 minutes or so, I managed to get it to stop leaking. I proceeded to dry up the floor and told Percy to stay away from the water dispenser on the fridge (it is hooked up to the filter) until hubby arrived home. Not 1 minute later, she pressed a cup against the dispenser for water. So it started all over again, but this time I knew what to do. Hubby came home within 20 minutes and luckily, he had an extra length of hose to replace it with. And now my floors are really clean.

I am staying home from church today to try and catch up a bit. I feel like a heretic. Hopefully, though, it will enable me to hook up with my lovely HP friends on the Chat Thread?

Maria

EDIT: Trevor brought his Oogie Boogie stuffed doll in to K for Show and Tell. His favorite part is telling everyone O.B. is made of bugs.

Ginny & Tori, that was a great game! Wasn't the earthquake game like 20 years ago?

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Puck - Oct 7, 2007 7:41 am (#2661 of 2984)

Maria, so is that what it takes to get you to wash floors?

Glad Percy is home safe and sound. We know how you worry. (And I'm sure you were still glad to have her back, even when water was spraying around the kitchen for a second time.)

Oh, I'm home from church to catch up today, too. Don't feel bad.

Purple People Eater suit is about done. I just need to make the hood. Toddler loves it! I tried it on her this morning, and she didn't want to take it off.

Off to do that cleaning.... (House has fallen apart while I sewed costume.)

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 7, 2007 8:36 am (#2662 of 2984)

Back yet again! Still having a grand time in Vancouver. We went to a concert last night and a cabaret with various people involved in Highlander: The Series Today is the big event, the charity auction. Those are always a load of fun although prices are insane, I have better luck with the silent auction. I am running on excitement since we are staying up until 2-3 am (which is like 5-6 am for me) and then back up by 7 am. I will have a load of sleeping to do. I fly out tomorrow morning, catching a ride to the airport with a friend of mine.

We have actually had many HP related conversations so it has just been a grand time all around. It has been some time since I have been to one of these events and had forgotten how much fun they actually are.

I will see everyone on Tuesday when I get back, at midnight and then back up by 5:45 am to start the day with Millicent and the rest of the gang.

::::waves to all::::

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kaykay1970 - Oct 7, 2007 8:47 am (#2663 of 2984)

What is a corn toss, anyway? Is it still stupid question day?-Maria

Nope! Not a stupid question at all! I had to ask the same when they showed me the trophy! (LOL) It is sort of like a bean bag tossing game. The bags are full of corn kernels instead of beans. You have to toss the bag through a hole in a board for 3 points, 1 point if it lands on the board. Something like that.

They set up a game of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" last night. My 5th grader got to be one of the classmates. She had fun and she was given a McDonald's gift certificate for her participation.

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painting sheila - Oct 7, 2007 11:33 am (#2664 of 2984)

We won!! We won!!! In a stroke of luck (bad or good? I haven't decided yet) we won Dead Eye Drake the Pirate Skeleton at Littlest Guy's school carnival on Friday. He is about 7 feet tall with a sword and goblet. He comes with a microphone and the capability to hook him up to a sound system and make him talk. He is animated and his blue eyes glow when he is speaking.

I have no idea where we are going to put him. At this moment he is in the family room safely in a box. Several kids at the school gave me glaring looks when we won. I found out later they were the children of the lady running the raffle at the carnival and they had become extremely attached to him. Littlest Guy ran around wielding the skeleton hand grasping the sword until one of the teachers said it was against school policy to play with swords. HA!

We were hoping for the Hurricanes tickets but will settle for Dead Eye Drake.

I have 1 1/2 dresses left!!Woohoo!! I am not sewing today and think I can finish them both tomorrow afternoon. (One of them is my own daughter's so if I have to duck tape her's together - no biggie!)

Eponine - How is your hubby?

Twinkling Blue Eyes - how are you all doing?

Took Littlest Guy to see The Seeker last night. It was pretty good but smacked of Harry Potter through out. The young man has twin brothers who give him a sock for his birthday and tell him he will get the other at Christmas. They finish one anothers sentences and everything. They were just missing the red hair and the accent. There were lots of others similarities and it was a little abstract in the filming sequences, but all in all we enjoyed it. We almost left at one point, but Littlest Guy said he wasn't scared and wanted to stay.

Oldest Son and Hubby went to priesthood meeting last night and Lovely Daughter went out with friends. It was Homecoming weekend and she and some of her friends didn't get asked to the dance. They dressed up anyway and went out to eat and playing putt putt. I was so proud that they didn't sit around and feel sorry for themselves!! I would post a picture of them but fear the "Don't Change Your Avatar or Anything Like Unto It" gods!!

It's good to see the twins back and posting!

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Solitaire - Oct 7, 2007 12:06 pm (#2665 of 2984)

Maria, **healing charms** to your neighbor's mom. Oh ... **drying charms** to you!! My mom didn't have your problem, exactly ... but once the ice maker line broke and flooded her kitchen. No fun at all.

Journeymom, we do not get Columbus Day off, either. I don't really care ... except that I could use an extra day to catch up on my grading. This past week I've had appointments every single night, and I have been too tired to grade by the time I got home. It doesn't take many nights like that to fall seriously behind. Now, I must work today, as I was gone much of yesterday for a family event. **sigh**

Good to see you, Ginny & Tori!! Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Solitaire

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geauxtigers - Oct 7, 2007 12:39 pm (#2666 of 2984)

I was thinking of you the other morning, Tori! They were talking about the LSU game on the news. Apparently, they have a real tiger caged where the opposing team will have to walk past it on their way into the stadium. Yep that's Mike! He before every game, he does a loop of the field and they park right where the visiting team runs out. Supposed to intimidate them. LOL Last night was his debut, he reign as Mike VI officially began. He is so cute too, he plays so much! I just want to snuggle with him every time they show him!

Earthquake game was in 88'. 3.3 on the scale on campus.

Glad yall figured out the water leak, Maria!

Well, there is laundry to fold! Best be off! Have a good weekend!

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Puck - Oct 7, 2007 2:02 pm (#2667 of 2984)

Okay, I'm getting close to having a people eater. Hood is pinned. Took me a while, as I had to modify the dragon pattern to add a horn and one big eyeball to it. I think it'll look cute once it's one, but getting the eye right was harder than I thought.

I bought fairy wings, just trying to decide if I should cover them with the costume fabric or leave them as is....

Soli. good luck getting the grades done!

I have to finish the costume and organize my scout stuff by Friday, and hopefully sew a baby quilt sometime between now and next Sunday. My best childhood friend is having a shower.

Kathy

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 7, 2007 2:22 pm (#2668 of 2984)

w00t to Littlest Guy!! How exciting and what a great welcome into the school system!

Thanks, Solitaire and you're right, it's not fun!

Kathy, I tip my hat to you and sheila. I do sew but very little and only when necessary. The last time I had to make a costume, I didn't have a pattern. Olivia wanted a Mudkip costume (Pokemon), so I made it using a 2" figure as my "pattern". It turned out cute but the rest of the house sort of went to pot while I did it.

I had just come in from helping hubby close and cover the pool. I sat down to check the threads and was called into the kitchen. Olivia was making fresh cinnamon rolls. Well, she didn't realize that if you shoot the mixing stand power from 0 to 5 with liquid in it, it will splatter. So, this time, melted butter and milk greeted me at the dining room entrance to the kitchen. Trevor bear stepped in it, so I had to wash his feet and then I proceeded to try and de-grease my kitchen floors. I was about 10 minutes into cleaning it when I looked up and saw it all over the cabinets, stove, refrigerator, sink, clean dishes in the sink - well, you get the picture. It took me over 1 1/2 hours to get off the grease from the butter which hardened after a while, so I had to scrape it first. Olivia had to shower, there was so much on her clothes and in her hair. Eww, I feel greasy and am heading into the shower in a moment. Don't they say it comes in threes?

Maria

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painting sheila - Oct 7, 2007 5:51 pm (#2669 of 2984)

Hey everyone!

HH - EWW!!! Use a dish soap to wash every thing. That is supposed to cut grease better than anything.

I cooked a turkey breast today - and if you have turkey you have gravy. Which means you have to have mashed potatoes, and then you think "potatoes"!! Gotta have sweet potatoes, and then of course rolls, and "Shoot!" we need a green veggie in there somewhere. The while looking for something green in the cabinet, I spied a can of pumpkin so of course I had to make pumpkin pies. My kitchen is a mess! The older kids are cleaning it up but there is no guarantee that I won't have to redo it all tomorrow.

Yeah on the purple people eater!! What did you use for the eye?

Littlest Guy saw an advertisement that had a Whoopee Cushion costume. How proud I will be , "Please meet my son, the whoopee cushion." It's just another excuse for him to go around making gross noises all night!

I am off to bed. I am slipping into a food induced coma -

Have a great day tomorrow everyone!

She

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Madam Pince - Oct 7, 2007 10:21 pm (#2670 of 2984)

It's probably the tryptophan...

Maria, so much for the nice clean floor from the first mishap! Oh well... ***strengthening charms***....

Puck, thank you so much for the calming draught! It helped tremendously! "Best-laid plans" is right, whoever said that! You know how you feel kind of triumphant when you manage to make a decent plan out of a lot of complicated variables, and then when one little glitch messes it all up? grrrrrrrr....! Anyway, the weekend was quick, but turned out fine. I got the main item that I wanted in the sale -- three times the price it should've been, but hey. That's par for the course for me and auctions. I also got a few other things that I wasn't aware were being offered so I am pleased overall. Now I'm just hoping we have another fog delay tomorrow morning so we can all sleep an extra hour after our trip...

Mrs. Sirius, sorry to hear about the Fifth's Disease! I hope you're feeling better soon. I don't know a lot about Fifth's but I know enough to know it's not fun. ***healing charms***

Megfox, congrats on the new computer -- it sounds wonderful! And the most wonderful part is the "free" part! Woo-hoo! I think all teachers should get one -- you guys deserve it.

Holly, that is a very clever and inventive solution to the "no voice" play. Hope it all works out for your daughter! I don't think Little P's is allergy -- seems to have been a cold. But I have to say that while I was giving him Airborne, it held off and didn't get too bad. When we were away for the weekend, I forgot to take the Airborne, and he got worse. So maybe it was just a natural-progression kind of thing, or maybe that stuff really works, who knows.

Denise, sounds like you're having (err.. had?) a great time!

John Bumbledore, sounds like you are a terrific hubby! Condolences on all the work, but how about a big pat on the back, will that help any?

Welcome to new Forumers! Can't wait for you guys to pop in and chat!

Journeymom, your spider story had me on the floor laughing! Please forgive me! It so reminded me of one of the vignettes in one of the Robert Fulghum books (you know, the "All I Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten" guy?) He told your experience, but then turned it around so it was from the spider's point of view. Too funny! (Oh, one of our moms is making that pumpkin-dip thing you were talking about for the Kindergarten Fall Festival party -- it was so good!)

Tori, no, Kip has not lifted the ban on changing things with your avatar or adding pictures or links behind your avatar or basically touching anything that has anything to do with your avatar / preferences page. So don't do it, because then we'd have all this blood and gore to clean up all over the Forum pages after Kip got done with you, and that would be such a drag, although probably we could get Sheila or John B. to do it... LOL!

I'm kidding. Kip hasn't murdered anybody. Yet.

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Snuffles - Oct 8, 2007 2:30 am (#2671 of 2984)

Phew, so many posts to read!

Wow Madame P. 20 days! that is some self restraint you have got I'm glad you managed to get some things you wanted at the auction. Hope Little P. is feeling better too.

Sheila, more *Strengthening charms* for you, just in case you are getting low. Also, if you have a spare 5 minutes or so, could you rustle Olivia a little Halloween costume for me?

Kaykay, hope you have fun at the wedding. Woo hoo on your daughter coming home for a few days too

Maria, I know how you feel, Olivia loves to hug people too. I keep trying to remind her that not everyone loves to have a bear hug as soon as she sees them

Welcome back Tori and Ginny. Hope your school work isn't too much.

*Calming drought* to Journeymom. I hope you have recovered from your spider ordeal. I'm sorry but you made me chuckle too. It sounds like the kind of thing I would have done. The other week when I was doing the grocery shopping, a HUGE moth landed on my shoulder It was like a bird was sitting there. Everyone looked at me as I tried to stay calm and brush this gigantic thing off me. All I really wanted to do was scream for hubby to get it off and run around like a raving madwoman!! A woman came up to me after it had gone and said "Thank goodness that wasn't me, I would have screamed the place down". I smiled and said "Well you know, it was only a moth!"

The fair is in town this week. Woo hoo. We took Olivia on Saturday night and spent a small fortune I am so glad it is only here once a year! I'm just waiting now for my Brandy Snap to go soft and gooey before eating it

Hope everyone had a good weekend and apologies to anyone I have missed. *Healing charms and Felix Felicis* to all those in need.

**Waves to Lina** Haven't had a cup of tea with you for a while, hopefully I will be in Chat tonight

Julie

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Puck - Oct 8, 2007 4:28 am (#2672 of 2984)

Oh, Maria! I shudder to think how you'll get rid of the tar that gets all over your kitchen tomorrow.

Sheila, I used felt to make the eye -basic white with a black pupil. I sewed a tab into the back, and will sew the tab in the center seam of the hood. Used felt covered with shimmery touling for the horn. Sewing that into the center seam as well. For the suit I used a dragon pattern. It did go together fairy quickly.

Madame Pince, you had to buy the items you wanted? I figured they would let family take what they wanted, and then sell the rest.

There's no school and it's raining. Everyone seems to be sleeping late. I really want them up so I can go to kick-boxing, but don't want to be the mean one that makes everyone get out of bed.

Oh, now that it's Monday...

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Kathy

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azi - Oct 8, 2007 5:17 am (#2673 of 2984)

Ooo, Snuffles, when is the fair there til? I knew it was Nottingham Goose Fair last week, but didn't know about yours! I may see if I can persuade my housemate to drive me there. I really want brandy snaps now...

**Relaxing charms** to Shelia and all other busy sewing people! I can't sew a button, let alone a costume! Same charms to John as well (I'm impressed you're doing all that - if it had been my father my mother would still be doing all the housework regardless).

Hmm, I can't remember when I last wrote on here. On Friday I got my Christmas (yes, Christmas!) present. It's a proper winter coat. I figured there's no point getting one in December when it'll be cold a long time before then. It cost a small fortune - £89, that's about US$180. Hopefully it'll last a few years!

Lovely days to all!

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Snuffles - Oct 8, 2007 6:19 am (#2674 of 2984)

azi, the fair is there until Saturday. It opens every day at 2pm until 11pm. It is worth the trip. Lots of rides and food! It is the largest travelling fair in Europe!

I need a new Winter coat. Might try and persuade hubby to buy me one for Christmas, and hope he has forgotten that Poppy the pup is supposed to be my present

Julie

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azi - Oct 8, 2007 6:59 am (#2675 of 2984)

The puppy is the family's present for Christmas.

I remember going to the fair as a child. Quite pointless, since my brother was afraid of fairground rides, my mother can't ride on them and my father has a habit of looking at everything but never actually going on them. Maybe without them I'll have fun? Lol!

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Solitaire - Oct 8, 2007 7:00 am (#2676 of 2984)

Nottingham Goose Fair? There is a special fair for geese? Hm ... interesting.

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John Bumbledore - Oct 8, 2007 8:05 am (#2677 of 2984)
Edited Oct 8, 2007 9:33 am

What do you do at a Nottingham Goose Fair? Sounds like a Giant Squid could get his tentacles slapped! Tie knots in pig tails? Get your goose cooked? ROFL

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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journeymom - Oct 8, 2007 8:43 am (#2678 of 2984)

John- *groan* :rollseyes:

Yes, I'm so glad my traumatic event provided you all with some entertainment. Sheesh. Lol!

Truly, even while I was standing there sobbing on my husband's shoulder I was trying to laugh about it. I know I probably looked pretty darned silly.

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Puck - Oct 8, 2007 9:02 am (#2679 of 2984)

I won't tell you about the prehistoric spider I was reading about in sons library book last night. You don't need to imagine them being two feet in diameter. :evilgrin:

Never got to kick boxing. I let the kids sleep. Toddler was in bed until after 9am. I finally had to get her up, as her swim lesson was at 10am. She was loaded with energy at the pool!

Oh, I found french vanilla tea. Yummy! I highly recommend trying some.

Sheila, I forgot to mention the eye is stuffed with fiberfill. Perhaps I can e-mail you a picture once it's done.

Time to do the dishes.

Kathy

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Potteraholic - Oct 8, 2007 9:06 am (#2680 of 2984)


To all those who live in the land of the maple leaf, Happy Thanksgiving!

Whew, read lots and lots of posts - no magic button for me - and enjoyed hearing about everyone's happy moments and successes! But sorry to hear about all the trials and tribulations; hope those stay away for a long, long time.

All that talk around the Forumversary time about when people first posted go me curious. According to my search, my first post was: # Discussions about the Cast of any HP movie. #264 - Potter-aholic Dec 3, 2002 04:06 pm, under my slightly different name of Potter-aholic. I wish I had posted on a storyline thread first, but I guess I felt more comfortable to dive into the world of posting by writing about one of the movies back then. Not that I'm much of a poster on the storyline threads now, mind you.

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John Bumbledore - Oct 8, 2007 9:30 am (#2681 of 2984)

The fear was atavistic, primal, straight out of my worst nightmare. — journeymom

Would it cheer you up to think of the man in the picture (or in profile if I ever get to change my member portrait) doing about the same as you (except substitute the Stop-Drop-and-Roll technique for running to a spouse)?

Like Hitchcock, I feel the fear of the unseen is greater than anything that is first seen.

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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painting sheila - Oct 8, 2007 9:32 am (#2682 of 2984)

Puck - I would love to see a picture! I am sure it looks fabulous - especially with a shiny horn. Woohoo!!

snuffles - send me measurements and I will get right on it! (oh. I guess you need to tell me what she would like to be.)

Fair time!! I love the fair!! The State Fair starts this weekend and runs until the 21st. I am so excited!!The rides, the people. the smells, the food - what's not to love?

journeymom - I would say that you handled yourself properly when faced with the prospect of the spider sitting on your head and sucking your brains out. I would have done the same thing! (did you ever find the spider? It could still be lurking you know . . .  )

We are supposed to record heat today. 96 degrees with high humidity. Jeez!!I am still getting tomatoes from my garden so no complaints there, but 96 seems to be a bit extreme.

Off to sew. I have 1 1/2 dresses left to do. Yeay!!!

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John Bumbledore - Oct 8, 2007 9:43 am (#2683 of 2984)

She, does the one girl know she will be wearing just a half dress? LOL

I spent all afternoon yesterday in our green-water pool diving to find the leak. No luck, so we will try draining it for the winter. It is so sad to see the pool more than half empty with today's high forecast at 92 and tomorrow at 94. When does Autumn start?

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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painting sheila - Oct 8, 2007 9:48 am (#2684 of 2984)

I am afraid Autumn for us is just a picture in a book John.

Ha. Ha. Ha. I meant I have the dress half-finished and it will be whole by the time I get it to her. Jeez. You book people are so literal!

I hope the drought doesn't keep you from being able to fill it again next year. Or do you get your water brought in by some one? Don't laugh! I hear there is a company that does that and they make big bucks delivering for pools. Where they get their water I have no idea. Welcome Victiore Weasley and Kasey!!

Get posting so we can get to know you more!!

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kabloink! - Oct 8, 2007 10:08 am (#2685 of 2984)

It has been in the 90's here the past few days. Call me melodramatic, but I am DYING when not in air conditioning. I didn't sign up for an extra month of summer during this pregnancy, thank you. Please take it away! Oh well, it is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow and drop to the high 70's tomorrow and the low 60's the next day-YAY!!!

Sheila, they probably take it from the Great Lakes-darn thieves, stealing our water! Just kidding, although the Lakes are low enough as it is, we don't really need to be sharing much.

Ok, I'm at work by myself so I should probably sign off. Kudos to everyone who is already working on Halloween costumes-we still haven't decided what we're going to be. We were going to go as James, Harry and Lily, but being 8 months pregnant puts a damper on that for me. I still say we wear our medieval (well, renaissance) garb, its already made and designed for my belly.

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kaykay1970 - Oct 8, 2007 10:21 am (#2686 of 2984)

The drought kept them from being allowed to fill the dunking booth. So the fire department stepped in and brought in water from a private pond and then they put all the proper chemicals in it to clean it up. I am surprised that someone has a pond that still has water it in!

We're still having highs in the 90's here too. But I must say I love my new van! We drove it to Jackson yesterday to pick up a trumpet. Ordinarily the kids will be in the back seat complaining that it is hot while I freeze in the front seat! But yesterday they actually complained about being too cold. I said "Why don't you turn down your a/c then?" After that I heard no more complaints. Yay!

We found the trumpet on E-Bay. It was a very nice looking new Bach. But once we got to the man's house he showed son an Olds trumpet. It was made in 1973! It looked kind of rough as alot of the silver plating is gone, but it sounded 3 times better than the Bach when he played it! So my son threw a fit for the old trumpet and we actually paid more for it than he was asking for the Bach! I definitely have to get a new case for it though as it looks worse than the horn does! My daughter just started the clarinet last week. She keeps saying she might be happier with flute. So this guy had a flute for $35 and we ended up buying that too.

I always end up buying Halloween costumes last minute. The problem is we never know if it will be hot or cold on that night! That makes it hard to decide between say, a ballerina costume or a big thick bunny suit! LOL

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Puck - Oct 8, 2007 10:43 am (#2687 of 2984)

We need costumes by Friday night for Kids Night Out at the school, or else I wouldn't have started yet, trust me.

Kabloink, I understand. My last was a September baby, and it was a very hot and humid summer. I survived by way of air conditioning and outings to town beach. (It's in a cool shady spot with a lovely lake breeze.)

Fall arrived here over the weekend. We have a forecast for rain and temps in the 50's and 60's.

Costume done except for wings, and I'm thinking on how I want to do those. Time to get started on the second project of the week -organizing my G.S. stuff.

Kathy

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Elanor - Oct 8, 2007 12:07 pm (#2688 of 2984)

Happy Thanksgiving to the Canadian forumers!

It's good to see the forum is working again (it seemed to be down for me for the last hour).

Not much going on here, except lots of work, even more work, and still three weeks to go before Fall break. **counting the days**

I'm not sure the event has crossed the Atlantic but here, these days, THE topic of conversation is the Rugby World Cup, especially after the crazy day that was last Saturday on which the English and French teams respectively sent back home the rubgy equivalent of the Himalaya for mountaineers, that is the Australian (sorry Lizzie! ) and New Zealand teams in quarter finals after amazing matches!

To give you an idea of the importance of the event: I have never seen so many French people being so happy because of an English team victory and, from what I've read online, the reverse is true too! I kid you not!! Next Saturday's semifinal (England-France) should be great.

Strengthening and Cheering Charms to all!

Audrey

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Puck - Oct 8, 2007 12:12 pm (#2689 of 2984)

Nope, haven't heard about it Audrey. It's the playoffs for baseball, so Red Sox fever abounds in my neck of the woods.

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Choices - Oct 8, 2007 4:59 pm (#2690 of 2984)

Goodness Puck, for a minute there I thought you were talking about me. I guess it was seeing "red" and "neck" in the same sentence. ROFL

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Potteraholic - Oct 8, 2007 5:05 pm (#2691 of 2984)


In my neck of the woods, it's "Mets Misery" and "Yankees Anxiety" (they're 2 games behind Cleveland and need to win Game 3).

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megfox* - Oct 8, 2007 6:30 pm (#2692 of 2984)

:stage-whispers to Potteraholic: Actually, they won game 3 last night, but need to win game 4 tonight... not that they will! It's 6 - 1 Indians in the 4th. :evilgrin:

Puck, where are you in New England, if you don't mind me asking? Maybe we could hang out sometime!

I feel your pain, journeymom - I would say that your reaction is the appropriate one given the situation. My most traumatic spider experience was in my downstairs bathroom. We have a small 1/2 bath between our kitchen and living room, and I was in there one evening as Andy was making dinner. I reached for the doorknob, and there was a big, brown, hairy spider, of the same stripey variety I think you were referring to, sitting there. It ran up my arm and I screamed, slammed the door, and started flinging my hand everywhere. It landed back on the door, and I sat on the commode, quivering with fear, tears streaming down my face, now flinging both hands wildly, screaming for Andy to come open the door. Trouble was in order for him to open the door, he had to move the door closer to me, which meant the spider had to come closer, too. I know it was plotting how to jump on me and bury itself in my hair before sinking it's fangs into me... I always check doorknobs now. :shudder:

Kim, I hope that it cools down a bit for you. I am glad I was pregnant in the fall and winter. Maddy was born the first day of spring, and it was like having my own personal space heater all through the cold winter months! The only winter I wasn't freezing every day. I will send you some of our cold rainy weather, and you can send me warm weather in January, okay?

All this talk of sewing costumes is making me feel like a Slacker Mom. I haven't even figured out what Maddy is going to be yet, never mind started sewing! I was thinking maybe Tinkerbell, as she always freaks out at the beginning of Disney movies when she flys across the screen, or maybe a penguin from Happy Feet...

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Potteraholic - Oct 8, 2007 6:49 pm (#2693 of 2984)


megfox*, Oops! I'm not actually a baseball fan; so that's what I get for trying to "talk baseball" and join in on the sports chat. Anyway, I always root for the underdog, and with 26(?) championships, the Yankees are hardly underdog material. But since they haven't won in a while (I'm not even going to try and guess how many years), some might say they would qualify for underdog status. Just clicked on to the game. Things don't look too good for the Bronx Bombers, do they? It looks like the Red Sox and the Indians in the ALC.

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Puck - Oct 8, 2007 7:10 pm (#2694 of 2984)

It looks like the Red Sox and the Indians in the ALC.

Hehehehe!

LOL, Choices, you know you're a red neck when...

Meg, thanks for the chuckle. Spiders don't usually bother me. I think they're beautiful. I grew up seeing only Daddy long legs, but we have many colors in my backyard now. Oh, I'm in southern Mass, so many hours of driving to get to Maine. (And don't worry, spiders haven't stolen my van to head north. )

Happy RotD!

Kathy

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journeymom - Oct 8, 2007 9:04 pm (#2695 of 2984)
Edited Oct 8, 2007 9:43 pm

Oh. My word. Meg, I laughed until I got tears in my eyes. It ran up your arm?!

I usually agree with John, that the unseen is more frightening than the seen. But I think Meg's spider on the arm trumps that.

Stop, drop and roll? I'd pay good money to see that.

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Denise P. - Oct 8, 2007 9:13 pm (#2696 of 2984)

I am back, my flight was delayed 45 min so I had to dash across a huge terminal, caught my connecting flight with about 3 minutes to spare. I am going to sleep, will come back and read tomorrow but it was a grand time!

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journeymom - Oct 8, 2007 9:56 pm (#2697 of 2984)

ONE more post, and then I'll quit for the evening.

JKR has a new dog. http://www.hpana.com/news.20213.html She rescued a grey hound. How stinkin' cute!

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painting sheila - Oct 8, 2007 10:02 pm (#2698 of 2984)

How cool is that!!

My high school mascot was a Greyhound!!

See Jo - we are meant to be friends!

(drum roll please. . . . . . drrrrrrrrrrrr!zing!) I am finished with all the dresses!! Even the half dresses!! WOohooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am now going to bed.

'nite. 'nite. Don't let the bed bugs (or spiders) bite.

She

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megfox* - Oct 9, 2007 4:54 am (#2699 of 2984)

Yes, it was halfway to my elbow when my spastic flailings dislodged it. Highly traumatic. Puck, I am even terrified of daddy long-legs. They are unnatural looking, IMO. I try to be a good environmentalist tree-hugger and rationalize that spiders are better than chemicals, they are a necessary part of the ecosystem, blah, blah, but I just can't. They have to be squashed.

So I stayed up to watch the end of both the Yankees' and the Bills' losses. I am going to be useless at school today. Blech. But I am excited for the Red Sox - Indians. And don't worry, Potteraholic, I am usually the one making a fool of myself by trying to talk about things I only think I know about.

Welcome back Denise! I hope you don't read this until well after 10 am and get some rest!

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Puck - Oct 9, 2007 5:27 am (#2700 of 2984)

wOOt Sheila! Now that you're done, want to help me with the quilt I need done by Sunday? I plan to buy the fabric this morning. (I must be insane.)

Journeymom, that's a great link. I'm not sure I would have been able to cash the check. (Though I would donate my paychecks to the charity until I made up the amount. JKR's autograph is totally worth it.)

If you're wondering what the cutest thing in the world is, it's my 2-year-old singing "Baby Beluga." Say it with me now, "Aaaawwww."

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painting sheila - Oct 9, 2007 7:33 am (#2701 of 2984)

Sure Puck!! Are we tying it or doing some fantastic quilting pattern on the top? I have loads of free time between now and Sunday!

John Bumblebore and Eponine - I am looking for a small grocery store for a NC Wanted shoot. Do you all know where any are around your area? It can't be a chain - too much red tape to get the go ahead. It needs to be some sort of MOm and Pop place. Just thought I would ask.

Went to the gym this morning and worked out!! That is twice in one month! I am on a roll. (That, you see, is the problem. I am one big roll! and I have to go to the gym to be ready for London!)

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Denise P. - Oct 9, 2007 8:41 am (#2702 of 2984)

Ha! I wish I could have slept until after 10 am but as it was, I was up at 5:40 am to take my newly blonde 14 year old to class. Over the weekend, his hair color changed. It was also discovered that Rhys gets a rash from either scallops or shrimp, I can't seem to quite get "make sure to have them turn in their homework in on Friday" understood the way it was written. Maybe I didn't leave it in English since both sets of homework were still sitting on the counter this morning. Overall, everyone survived the few days without me here with no long term effects. I had a lot of fun, laughing with friends, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to get back up and going again after 4 hours of sleep. I can't wait to do it again.

On the swaps - I think everyone except Lizzy has gotten theirs. I want to give Lizzy a chance to get hers before I make the page public that has the pictures. The packet should get to her this week so probably Friday I will give the address so everyone can see (and envy) the creativity of everyone. Trust me, you don't have to be a master at crafts, just use your imagination and make it come about. I just went into the craft store, looked at what they had and went from there. My swap got more involved than I originally planned because as I was doing my initial prep, I thought of something that would be really neat to go with it. Don't believe anyone on here who thinks they didn't make a good swap because all of them were so cute, nifty and fun to have.

I am in the middle of making fall fairies for a different swap, these have been fun and turning out soo much better than I anticipated. You can see a picture of one at http : // i58.photobucket.com/ albums/ g241/ hilandveil/ fallfairy.jpg Take the spaces out. This was the first one I did, they have changed a bit since then. I am doing the wings differently, the hair is fuller. I do them in stages, make the body, cut the dress, sew the dress and glue the leaf, do the head, fluff the hair and then glue head to body so if I had to guess, it would probably take me 40 min start to finish if I was making one all the way at a time. Since I do them in stages, once I have all the pieces, I can assemble them pretty fast.

I have been reading HBP along with a book about the HBP and it is not nearly as dreadful this time around. I still will never view this one as a favorite and it will probably always be last in my stack to be picked up but I will admit that I am seeing some things that I missed the other times around.

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Puck - Oct 9, 2007 10:54 am (#2703 of 2984)

Machine quilting, Sheila. Log cabin blocks, arranged to look like a butterfly flying in a sunny sky. I must go and sew. Girl Scout stuff is almost all set for Friday, so that's good. I've written my parent letter. I just need to make copies of some forms at staples, and then to Target to get ingredients for a First Aide kit. That's tomorrow morning. Also need poster board to make a Daisy sign and to write the promise on (not that many of them can read yet).

So, did anyone know your child was going blonde, Denise, or was this a surprise?

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 9, 2007 12:48 pm (#2704 of 2984)

Nicholas knew, as did the friend who did it. Did Mr. Denise know? Only after the fact. I knew before I actually saw him this morning. We have had a chat about ASKING before you do stuff like this. I would have said okay and blonde will grow out okay, it is more streaks done badly than a full on blonde dye. At least he didn't go black....possible to grow out, looks gross and has to be pretty much cut out.

I have 16 Tiger cubs and parents coming over tonight for a den meeting. While I was gone, Mr. Denise moved the stuff I needed for the meeting so now I have to go hunt it down or replan what I was going to do.

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Madam Pince - Oct 9, 2007 2:18 pm (#2705 of 2984)

LOL, Denise! Coming back home is definitely the un-fun part, isn't it?

...you had to buy the items you wanted? I figured they would let family take what they wanted, and then sell the rest. -- Puck

Yes, one would think so, wouldn't one? (she said, without unclenching her teeth...) Don't even get me started...

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Marie E. - Oct 9, 2007 4:08 pm (#2706 of 2984)

Well, I won graceful points yesterday for stepping wrong out of my front door and spraining my right ankle. I was on my way to a professional development day training so I had my arms full of chart boards and handouts. Usually when I hurt an ankle, it feels better in about an hour. This time my ankle started swelling and the pain was still there two hours later. My boss went across the street to a Walgreen's and bought an elastic bandage. One of my coworkers used to be a massage therapist and she examined my ankle, said that I strained a ligament and pulled a tendon, and wrapped it up for me. The good thing was that I got out of my second training because my boss told me to go home. It still hurts today, but not as bad. It hurts to brake while driving so I got out of all bus driving as well. I also skinned my left knee and I swear sometimes that knee hurts more than the ankle.

All the third graders are taking a cognitive skills test this week. Those that do well will be invited to attend a class just for gifted children next year at a different school. I am almost afraid that Lexi will do well because Shayla's on this "Lexi gets everything" kick-typical sibling stuff. I keep telling her not to compare herself to her sister, that she excels in different areas, like art and history. Lex is just a total Hermione and there's nothing I can do about it.

We are still enjoying beautiful fall weather-70's-though the nights are getting colder. I had to scrape frost off my car window yesterday. Actually Mr. E scraped it, as I had just fallen out of my house and could barely hobble to the car.

It is Chik-Fil-A spirit day, which means if we mention the girls' school name while ordering, a percentage of the money goes to their school. For me it's just an excuse to eat waffle fries and get sweet tea.

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dizzy lizzy - Oct 9, 2007 4:15 pm (#2707 of 2984)

eeeeeK!!!

I haven't got my swaps yet....I'm hoping to get them in Today's or Tomorrow's mail.

But on the positive side, I have finally found enough time to come back to the forum. It is a cold blustery spring day. Plenty of snow still falling on the high peaks, but I'm too close to the coast to get snow.

I have been busy sewing and tidying the sewing room up since my Mum is coming to stay for a week next Tuesday and she really would appreciate a clean room to sleep in....

I did have to hit the magic buttton....1183 messages on the chat thread alone is a bit much to read.

Lucy and I are fine. Lucy had what is known as the 5 in 1 Vaccine two days ago. She has finally stopped squealing whenever someone pats her too hard. This is the first time she has had a bad reaction to her vaccines, it is also the first time she has had a 5 in 1.

Have I missed anyone's birthday??? If so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

((hugs)) to all those who need them.

Lizzy

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Eponine - Oct 9, 2007 4:41 pm (#2708 of 2984)

Sheila, there's a local meat market here, but I can't think of any locally owned grocery stores. I asked Mr. Eponine (who's lived here all his life) and he couldn't think of any either. Sorry! I hope you find something, though.

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Choices - Oct 9, 2007 5:15 pm (#2709 of 2984)

Oh Marie, I am so sorry your day got off to such a terrible start. Healing charms to your ankle and your knee. Hope you are feeling much better soon!!

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dizzy lizzy - Oct 9, 2007 5:24 pm (#2710 of 2984)

I've got my Swaps. Oh they are sooooo nice!!!!!

**Dances**

Lizzy

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painting sheila - Oct 9, 2007 5:33 pm (#2711 of 2984)

yeah!! Lizzy got her SWAPS!! Can we talk about them now?

Thanks Eponine. I found one in downtown Raleigh. The first store I asked was gung-ho about the idea. Easiest commission I have ever made!!Woohoo!!

Went house hunting today. The pits. Hubby asked if we could look in the next price range down. Everything was so dated and in such bad shape. We would spend the difference between the two price ranges making things livable that we should just go to the next price range! Right?

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Betty Boop - Oct 9, 2007 5:35 pm (#2712 of 2984)

Healing Charms to you Marie. I hope you heal fast.

I am going to visit Cleveland Ohio this weekend. I can't wait going to see mischa fan( Jim).

I went to the movies and saw In The Valley of Elah. It was a good movie, but sad. It is about a Father who goes looking for his son. The son was in the service and was killed after he got home.

I hope everyone is having a good week so far.

Hugs Always

boop

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Denise P. - Oct 9, 2007 5:46 pm (#2713 of 2984)

Yes! Lizzy has her swaps! You can talk about them now. Here is where the rest of you lot can see pictures. The pictures do not do them justice, really. Put http colon backslash backslash in front of this to see them. I could not pick a favorite if I had to, they are all so neat.

members.aol.com/HPLFSwaps/swaps.html

Marie, that is a bummer

I had my first Tiger den meeting this evening, rather intimidating only because the Cubmaster is one of the parents. It went well though.

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Eponine - Oct 9, 2007 5:52 pm (#2714 of 2984)

The swaps are awesome! Are you going to do anything like that again? (and is it limited to only Scouts?)

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Denise P. - Oct 9, 2007 5:56 pm (#2715 of 2984)

Lizzy is not a scout When we do it again, it is open to anyone on the forum. We had people not on the forum who took part. Probably after the holidays we can do it again unless there is a lot of interest to do one before. I don't know...

Emily, who made one that made me laugh when I saw it, is not on the Forum, her aunt is.

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dizzy lizzy - Oct 9, 2007 7:18 pm (#2716 of 2984)

Lizzy was a Scout many years ago....I was what Australians call a Venturer. This is scouting for boys and girls aged 14-18 years and I worked for and recieved my Queen's Scout Award.

Lizzy

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kaykay1970 - Oct 9, 2007 7:59 pm (#2717 of 2984)

Wow! The swaps are so cool! 50 points to each of your houses!

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Denise P. - Oct 9, 2007 9:10 pm (#2718 of 2984)

We have Venture Scouts here as well. They are part of the Boy Scouts but do allow girls. They wear a green uniform. We have quite a few Venture Crews. We also have Sea Scouts that fall under Boy Scouts. My neice and nephews were all involved in Sea Scouts, my brother is usually out on a boat with the Sea Scouts most weekends. You don't hear as much about Venture Crews or Sea Scouts though.

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Solitaire - Oct 9, 2007 9:12 pm (#2719 of 2984)

Marie, **healing charms** to your ankle and knee. I've been there ... it's no fun.

I've really been scarce around here, mainly popping in to keep up on posts and say hi. The last two weeks have been hard ... and I am not expecting anything any better for at least two more weeks. I was at work until 7:15 p.m. tonight ... boo-hoo! That's what I get for having meetings or appointments every night last week ... and being too tired to plan or grade by the time I got home. I am now playing catch-up, and it is not a fast game.

I hope everyone has a great Friday tomorrow. What? It's not Friday tomorrow? Hm ... it FEELS like it should be Friday! Oh, well ...

Solitaire

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Catherine - Oct 10, 2007 3:28 am (#2720 of 2984)

I love the SWAPS! They were all wonderful, but I really liked the Mandrake one and the Monster Book of Monsters.

What talented members we have on the Forum!

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Accio Sirius - Oct 10, 2007 4:19 am (#2721 of 2984)

Denise, fabulous page for the SWAPS! I'll have to show our troop the pictures! Half of the girls want to do Harry Potter swaps, the others will certainly be convinced after this!

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Madam Pince - Oct 10, 2007 4:36 am (#2722 of 2984)

Marie, so sorry to hear about your tumble! Hope your knee and ankle feel better soon! Good job on the grace points, though! And mmmmmmmmmm.... Chick-Fil-A! I love that place. The chicken is "real," the lemonade and lemon pie are great, the tea is great, and the coleslaw is great. What more could you want?

***waves to Lizzy*** Welcome back, you! I'm so jealous that you are having spring and getting ready to look forward to summer, while we here are (well, at least I am) looking wistfully back at it. I love summer. I want to be warm! Thus, the unseasonably warm weather we've been having here lately has been great for me! Last night we had a thunderstorm and a little tiny drizzle of rain, and today is the "last hurrah" of being in the 80's, I think. 60's and 70's from tomorrow on until frost, probably.

Boop, say "hi" to Jim for us, and have a good trip to Ohio!

Sheila, funny that you mention "dated"-looking houses. I never thought much about our house, because honestly I'm just not very "up" on things like decorating trends, etc. I'm always being practical and just trying to make the carpet last another five years or looking at curtains and saying "these look perfectly new" without regard to style or anything. However, now that Little P is in school and making new friends and has had some playdates with them so that I've seen other people's houses, I'm beginning to realize that our house definitely falls in the "dated" category. If some extra money falls into my lap (HA! - fat chance!) I really want to replace the blue living room carpet and the blue patterned kitchen linoleum. Apparently blue is sooooo... long-time-ago. And the patterned linoleum is so "busy" that when you drop things on it, you really have to look to find them. (Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's a bad thing...)

Off to check out the SWAPS...

Edit: Wow, they are great! So creative! Denise, how did you get the artwork for the Marauder's Map???? Surely you didn't hand-draw that? Also, what is written around the edge of the World Cup tickets? I couldn't read it because it was so small, although I could read the "Wand Use Prohibited During Match" part. Too funny!

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Denise P. - Oct 10, 2007 5:22 am (#2723 of 2984)
Edited Oct 10, 2007 6:41 am

The Map I found online. It does fold open to show the castle, the grounds etc. It was originally sized for an entire sheet of paper (and you can see all the details nicely) but I put 4 on one sheet of paper. It was originally drawn by a lady who used them as invitations to a Book Release Party. It is actually her house but it was the best looking map I found to use.

On the World Cup ticket, it says at the bottom - Wand Use Prohibited During Match On the side where it has the date (right as you look at it) it says: 224th Annual Quidditch World Cup Sponsored by these fine merchants Across the bottom are the merchants: The Bluebottle: A Broom for All the Family - safe, reliable, and with Built In Anti-Burglar Buzzer Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover: No Pain, No Stain Gladrags Wizardwear - London, Paris, Hogsmeade The other side, by Admit One, it says Thanks to the Ministy of Magic for coordinating transportation and security for this event I had to find the file to read it since the text is pretty small but it was the only way to get it on there. The ticket was all I had planned to do but then thought of the omnioculars to go with it. The gold was a last minute addition after I found it at a fabric store.

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Puck - Oct 10, 2007 6:41 am (#2724 of 2984)

16 Tiger Cubs? That's a big den! Ours has 5. (Wolves)

Healing Charms to Marie's ankle.

Fabulous SWAPS!

I think fall is finally here. I wish this wasn't such a busy week, because I'd love to remove summer clothes from the dressers. Guess I'll have to live with two seasons of clothes crammed in for another week.

Purple People Eater is complete!

Now, I have 4 days to sew a baby quilt. The fabric is cut, so I start sewing this afternoon while Toddler naps. I need the squares done by the end of today if I have any hope of finishing on time.

Must go run my errands. Making copies and getting first aide kit together for Scouts.

Kathy

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T Brightwater - Oct 10, 2007 6:46 am (#2725 of 2984)

Healing Charms to Marie, and Felix Felicis to Sheila!

Eponine, about those raspberries - black or red? They're pruned differently. In either case, you should remove all the canes that bore fruit this year if they haven't died already.

Today is my fiftieth birthday. Yikes!!!! I get to celebrate by teaching a new student. Brand new. Never touched a lute in her life, didn't even play guitar first - well, not so many bad habits to undo, anyway!

Er, what were the Swaps about? This happened while I was away from the Forum.

I notice my avatar has reappeared - did they change the rules or did someone donate a premium membership for me? If so, thank you, whoever you are!

Well, the Chudley Cannons...er, Chicago Cubs, got knocked out in the first round of playoffs. Wait Till Next Year! (The official motto of Cubs fandom.) I'm rooting for Cleveland now - I went to college not far from there and they have the second-longest "drought" in the major leagues - after ours, of course.

After a week of weather more appropriate to August than October, it's finally cooled off. Phew!

Anybody know any Deer-Repelling Charms? Or have a wolf I can borrow?

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Denise P. - Oct 10, 2007 6:50 am (#2726 of 2984)

I only have 8 Tigers but they come complete with an adult...giving me at least 16 at every meeting (if they are all there) I only have 3 boys that don't have older siblings that are Scouts so that makes it really easy...parents are already trained. Because they are, they shot down snacks at every meeting. Good!

Brightwater - if you go to this page, after you put http colon backslash backslash on it - you can see the swaps and read what they are.
members.aol.com/HPLFSwaps/swaps.html

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kaykay1970 - Oct 10, 2007 7:14 am (#2727 of 2984)

Happy Birthday T Brightwater! Well, Puck has 5 wolves and Denise 8 tigers. That should definitely be enough to repel the deer, if only they will let you borrow them.

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painting sheila - Oct 10, 2007 8:45 am (#2728 of 2984)

Happy Birthday T Brightwater!!

I have heard that putting human hair in areas you don't want deer works. Do you have a hair salon or a barber shop some where close by you good get sweepings from?

We are Cubbies in this house too!! I found a funny cartoon once that had the hot place frozen over and one devil was talking to another devil and said, "I guess the cubs won the world series".

I am all for doing more swaps before or after the holidays. Just say when.

I went to the gym again today - 3 in one week!! Yeah me!!

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journeymom - Oct 10, 2007 8:46 am (#2729 of 2984)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIGHTWATER!

OK, I checked out the SWAPS, and Sheila, your niece's swap is just adorable. The way Hermione's hair is spilling over and blocking Ron and Harry is too cute! All the swaps are so clever.

Healing charms for you, Marie.

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The giant squid - Oct 10, 2007 8:53 am (#2730 of 2984)

For me it's just an excuse to eat waffle fries and get sweet tea.--Marie E.

Any excuse is a good excuse for Chik-Fil-A! I wish they had some out here...

Hope your ankle is feeling better. Now we know where Shay gets her clumsiness from.

--Mike

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Holly T. - Oct 10, 2007 9:03 am (#2731 of 2984)

Happy Birthday T. Brightwater!

My husband has 7 or 9 first-year Webelos. They move too fast and I can't count them. He added some new guys this year so I don't know them. I'm sure they'd frighten deer. When they're moving in a pack they frighten me (the Cub Scouts, not deer). Tonight they are working on their Whittlin' Chip. Which means they will be using knives. I will make sure to take my first aid kit to Girl Scouts with me (we meet at the same place, just different rooms). Last week we had both groups together to practice knots. Surprisingly, the Cub Scouts did not tie the Girl Scouts to chairs.

I have at least two more people who want to be in on our next HP swap. One is a girl in my troop and one is another troop leader. And my daughter wants to make her own swap. She and her friend have all sorts of ideas, including one that I was very surprised no one made this time.

Daughter has bronchitis but she hasn't missed any school. She's not running a fever, just kind of dragging. I suggested a day to rest and she was appalled. I pulled her out of school to go to the doctor and she complained. She missed lunch (I brought her something to eat), band, and drama. And she'd had band practice before school because there was a pep rally and had band after school because there was a football game so I figured she could miss it during the school day. Son is going back to the doctor Thursday for a followup visit to look at the lump on his leg, which is getting smaller but is still there. I am taking advantage of them going to the doctor to have them get the Flu Mist. Son doesn't want the Flu Mist, he wants a shot. I told him he can ask the doctor about it on Thursday.

Report cards come home on Thursday plus we have a conference with son's teacher. Rather, dh is going to the conference while I take Draco to the doctor. I think this is best as I am concerned that the teacher may think I am coming across as snippy and will get defensive. I will go to the 504 meeting later. Basically dh says at this conference he's going to just suggest that we set up a 504 meeting so the teacher can find out more about what she is supposed to be doing. Like he's in the top reading group since he reads at a fairly high level, in spite of the dyslexia. But he misses reading group time since that's when he goes to the reading teacher. So he has to catch up on that reading at home. Well, he may read at a high level, but he reads very slowly, like 10 pages in an hour, and either she a) doesn't realize that or b) doesn't care.

Sheila, I was worried about the girl who got half a dress. Glad you explained.

Madam Pince, we have (at least 13-year-old) blue sofas in our living room and blue patterned curtains in there and in the kitchen. The new brown sofas are arriving on Friday (we bought them over Labor Day weekend after dh came home from work with a bonus check).

Oh--update--you know I got a Scooba for my birthday last month--I finally used it over the weekend. It is great! I have been planning which part of the floor I want to clean next. The cat is completely freaked out by it, though, LOL.

Editing to add healing charms for Marie!

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DJ Evans - Oct 10, 2007 9:15 am (#2732 of 2984)

***waves to everyone*** Coming out of my lurking mode here to say "WOW." on the nifty SWAPS! Each & everyone that participated should be very proud of the great job they did. I had thought about joining in, now I wish I had. Maybe if you do another one, I'll get in on it this time.

Marie E.: Sending quick healing charms your way....hope the ankle is better soon.

I'm doing fine, finally enjoying the great fall temperatures. I was so tired of the 98+ temperatures, needless to say the mid 80's is a nice change.

We're all doing pretty good around here. My brother did have a wreck that totaled our only vehicle though. It wasn't his fault, some guy did an illegal U-turn right in front of him. The main thing is Bill is OK, he was just uber sore from the seatbelt. After several days of searching, we were able to find a truck close to what he had. I'm still taking care of Mom. She has her good days & not so good days, but on the whole she is doing pretty good.

Madam P: You know what will happen, don't you? If you go to all of the expense of replacing your blue carpet/flooring....it will come back in style! Or that would be my luck.

Happy Birthday to Brightwater!

***waves to Shelia*** Good luck on the house hunting. I've been meaning to tell you, that I love your dream house in your avatar. Did it have big rooms? And lots & lots of closets?

Later, Deb

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Puck - Oct 10, 2007 9:23 am (#2733 of 2984)

Happy Birthday T. Brightwater!

Sheila, Hooray for you! I think you've earned a hot fudge sundae with all that gym time.

I wish our Scouts would stop the snacks. My Daisies will have them, as it's right after school, so they will need a healthy pick-up. But Son has meetings after dinner, and snack is the last thing. It would be so much better to send them home without loading them with sugar. (The snacks always seem to be some kind of sweet or chips.)

SWAPs after the holidays please.

Healing charms to Holly's Hermione! (And why does Draco prefer to get a shot? )

I just went to Staples and Target, and between that and the pins and Daisy petals I bought at the G.S. store last month I have already spent all but $30 of the dues I planned to collect for the year. (I was doing a one-time collection, but may need to collect again after the new year. The dues I request turned out to be under $2 per meeting.)

Happy RotD!

Kathy

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Holly T. - Oct 10, 2007 9:39 am (#2734 of 2984)

Kathy, I recommend that Daisy leaders collect about $30 dues in the fall and another $30 in the spring. Once you start multiplying the cost of patches by the number of girls the money goes quickly. Usually parents are more than happy to pay the dues since they don't have to sell cookies or do other fundraisers.

Draco prefers a fly shot to the Flu Mist because he has a horrible gag reflex and the Flu Mist drips down in the back of his throat after they squirt it in his nose. The past two years he's had to have the Flu Mist though since that was all that was available. He keeps asking for a shot instead, saying he'd rather be poked with a needle then have the nasty vaccine stuff drip into his throat.

**waving back at Deb**  Sorry about your car!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 10, 2007 9:55 am (#2735 of 2984)

Happy Birthday T. Brightwater! Best wishes and many happy returns of the day!

I don't usually get around to posting on this thread, but I just felt I had to recommend a film I saw over the weekend. Eastern Promises, starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts (AKA potential Narcissa Malfoy ) and Vincent Cassel is simply unbelievable. It is on limited release in the U.S. at present, but should get wide release pretty soon.

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Choices - Oct 10, 2007 11:04 am (#2736 of 2984)

Happy Birthday and many more to T Brightwater!

Denise - Thanks for displaying all the wonderful swaps and congratulations to everyone who made such adorable and innovative items. Great job!

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Elanor - Oct 10, 2007 11:40 am (#2737 of 2984)

Joyeux Anniversaire! Happy Birthday T Brightwater!

Ohhh Viggo... Ohhh Vincent... **Vacant expression and dreaming smile on my face** This can't be a bad movie PeskyPixie!

Congratulations to all who made the SWAPS, they are really amazing, all of them! As I was looking at them, I was thinking they would look great in a kind of miniature Hogwarts trunk that would be like a jewelery box for keeping these little treasures. It would make a nice display open too.

Have a great day everybody!

Audrey

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Madam Pince - Oct 10, 2007 12:01 pm (#2738 of 2984)

Happy Birthday, T Brightwater! Hope you have a fantastic day and another good half-century ahead of you! (About the avatar thing -- read the first thread on the Forum -- I think it's called "WorldCrossing Problems" or something similar... it's just a wonky thing that WX is going through for awhile lately...)

Deer repellant -- I've heard the hair thing, and I've also heard to put a bar of Irish Spring soap in a cheesecloth bag or net of some type and hang it on the tree limbs or amongst your plants. Don't know how successful it would be from personal experience, though. Sounds to me like Cub Scouts are your best bet.

Denise, how did you make the omnioculars? Are they different shapes of beads strung together? Way cool.

Holly, you crack me up! Lucky duck on the new sofas! Our sofa is fairly new, and it has blues and sage greens and taupes and beiges in it. I'd like to paint the walls a sage green and get a beige or taupe-y carpet. But, as DJ Evans said, undoubtedly then blue will come back "in." (***waves to DJ Evans, by the way!***)

Talking about cats freaking out, Little P went fishing this past weekend and caught a couple which were put into a ziplock bag on the riverbank until they'd finished fishing. The cat totally freaked out over the bag's occasional "flops" -- she was sooooo trying to figure out how to get inside that bag!

Squid Mike, don't be so mean! (said in a "GoF Ginny" voice...)

I've been debating on whether or not to try to get Little P to take a flu shot this year. Every time he has to get a shot, you'd think we were yanking out fingernails. It's horrible. When he was only two it took a couple nurses plus me to hold him down. Bleah... Of course, it's practically the same reaction when I'm putting sunscreen on him as well. He's a bit of a touch-me-not.

I still can't get over how creative those SWAPS were. You guys are great!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 10, 2007 1:01 pm (#2739 of 2984)

Yes, Elanor, Viggo and Vincent do make for a yummy film! (even though the subject matter is quite serious)

Also, thank you for including 'Joyeux Anniversaire!' in T Brightwater's birthday greeting. As a Canadian how could I have forgotten?

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Denise P. - Oct 10, 2007 1:02 pm (#2740 of 2984)

The omnioculars were pretty simple to make. I used mini wooden spools, painted bronze. A pony bead was between the spools with pony beads on the end for eyepieces. A mini jewel was on the other end for lenses and then I used jewelery bits and crystals for the various knobs. A piece of plastic cord was the strap. Starting with just the pieces and a glue gun...it would take about 10 minutes to make, including painting the spools. Easy peasy.

I don't do flu shots. While Mr. Denise was in the military, it was a requirement that he get one and he seemed to be the only one in the family to usually get the flu.

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Puck - Oct 10, 2007 2:39 pm (#2741 of 2984)

I've never had flu mist. If that's what it feels like, I'm with Draco.

I teach dance to kids age 2 through 6, have a Daisy troop, plus whatever my own kids trot home with. I'm getting a flu shot.

I had to totally pull apart an almost completed quilt square, as I put it together backwards. Rookie mistake.

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Madam Pince - Oct 10, 2007 3:32 pm (#2742 of 2984)

Easy peasy to make, she says. Yeah, right.    Speaking as someone who can't even make a bed, I am appropriately awed.

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Choices - Oct 10, 2007 4:51 pm (#2743 of 2984)

Handy hint to those getting the flu shot (I always do) - take a dose of Ibuprofen 30 minutes before you get the shot and you'll never know you had it. Wards off the soreness or achy feeling, then while everyone else is suffering and miserable with the flu, you'll be feeling fine and dandy! :-)

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T Brightwater - Oct 10, 2007 5:38 pm (#2744 of 2984)

Thanks for all the birthday greetings!

Turns out my new lute student has been playing classical guitar for several years. This is good in that she knows how to read music and co-ordinate both hands, but she'll have to unlearn a few technical things. She's very enthusiastic though, and that counts for a lot.

Off to see what's happening on Planet Mom. I wonder where she thinks she is today...

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Madam Pince - Oct 10, 2007 6:10 pm (#2745 of 2984)

I had a great idea for the next SWAPS. I'm going to make the Invisible Book of Invisibility. I actually already made them for this round, but Denise must not have seen them in the box.

Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Oct 10, 2007 6:35 pm (#2746 of 2984)

Happy Birthday and many more to T Brightwater! The 50th is a great year! Trust me.

...waves to everyone as I toddle out the door to work...

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Betty Boop - Oct 10, 2007 6:43 pm (#2747 of 2984)

Happy Birthday T Brightwater!! I hope you are having a great day!

Deb, Good to see you around. You have been missed.

Madam Pince, Jim says Hi back.

Healing charms to whom need them.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

hugs always

boop

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painting sheila - Oct 10, 2007 7:43 pm (#2748 of 2984)

Madame Pince - You crack me up!! I painted a mural once for our HP workshop/musical thingie. I painted a large bookcase with hundreds of books. I painted a suit of armor on one side and. . . .I can't remember what on the other. (jeez!!) Lame story so far . . ) Anyway, I used all the titles found in the series and then I started making up books with the cast members names as the authors. One of the books I painted was the Invisible Book of Invisibility. I used glitter to outline it and write the title and such. You had to stand just right in the light to see it. So fun! There was great debate on whether it was really there or not! I hate that we had to paint over it for the next show.

One of these days I Will post it so you all can see. I feel like I need to change my name to usedtopaintsheila

Went to dance class again tonight. I love dancing with Oldest Son! He makes me laugh by getting this serious look on his face and then doing these outlandish steps with just his legs and feet moving every which away. I have no idea how he keeps his head and shoulders straight. Funny kid!

Hubby brought me a present today. (awww!) It was a key to our shed that (drum roll please. .ddddrrrrrrrrrr-ching!) actually works! How cool is that? What year anniversary is the Year of the Key?

We are in for a cold snap tonight. Brrr. Good sleeping weather.

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Potteraholic - Oct 10, 2007 9:23 pm (#2749 of 2984)


Hey folks! Hope everyone is doing well in their neck of the woods.

Just saw a new movie tonight, 'Across the Universe', the Beatles music-inspired movie directed by Julie Taymoor. Absolutely loved it! I happen to be a huge fan of the Fab Four, but even non-fans wll enjoy this film. It's very cleverly shot and the visual presentation is just amazing. Not to mention, a really well-crafted story.

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jose043 - Oct 11, 2007 1:07 am (#2750 of 2984)

Hi All

Happy Birthday T Brightwater many more to come hope you have a wonderful 50th.

Maire E hope your knee & ankle better soon. Anne & I both know how you feel as we have both done it at different times.

Healing charms & get well charms to all who need them.

Had the 3 grandkids took them to see Ratatouille on Tuesday evening was enjoyed by all, Rob went to an Auction instead of the film. We all went to Sizzlers on Wednesday except Anne

Josephine & Anne

Little Werewolves of London

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Tazzygirl - Oct 12, 2007 12:12 am (#2751 of 2984)

There were many, many new posts, so I had to push the magic button.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGHTWATER! Hope you have/had a great day!

**healing charms** to those that need them.

The SWAPS were so cute!! Very creative!

My mom fell today (slipped on a piece of peach in the school yard) and managed to break her ankle and fracture her foot. Tomorrow she goes in to see if she needs pins in it or not, and then the full cast comes on for 8 weeks. :sad:

I had a friend (also my former boss) come out to visit for a week. She left yesterday. Talk about stress- fifty thousand things to do for school, and I was staying at the hotel with her and her friend. My friend is in a wheelchair, and can't walk at all. Since she needs help doing pretty much everything, I had to put all of my stuff on hold. While I enjoyed seeing her (somewhat the entire time) I was incredibly grateful when they boarded the plane. I'm so exhausted- came home from the airport yesterday and immediately fell asleep for three hours.

Hope everyone is well! Have a great weekend!!

~Kristina

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Accio Sirius - Oct 12, 2007 3:52 am (#2752 of 2984)

Tazzygirl, how awful for your mom! I hope Madame Pomfrey can fix her right up. Healing charms are coming your way.

Happy belated Birthday T Brightwater--and many more.

Madame Pince--you crack me up!!

I had trouble getting on the forum yesterday, so I'm off to catch up on anything I've missed. TGIF!!

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Kip Carter - Oct 12, 2007 4:10 am (#2753 of 2984)
Edited Oct 12, 2007 6:07 pm

Some of you may find my two posts starting with the first at Oct 12, 2007 12:50 am interesting.

And yes, the Lexicon Forum is still somewhat "iffy" and could be down for an undetermined periods of time. Your guess is as good as mind as to when the sync problem will be fixed and the other associate problems that have been caused with trying to getting everything working right. I wish I could say more.

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Denise P. - Oct 12, 2007 5:26 am (#2754 of 2984)

Yay, we are back up (for now, anyway) I see that Kip is going to allow us to change info as well. Now, I need to figure out what I would like to change it to for a bit.

I posted over on FanFicForum that I have been attempting to order the graphic novel, Maus I have placed the order on half.com several times, had it confirmed only to get a refund notice a few hours after that. I finally got a shipping notice that a seller has actually still got the book and it is in the mail to me. Woo hoo!

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painting sheila - Oct 12, 2007 5:52 am (#2755 of 2984)

Did I miss something Denise. I thought Kip's post said not to change anything.

She

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Denise P. - Oct 12, 2007 6:00 am (#2756 of 2984)

Tsk, tsk...now we know who reads Kip's links and who doesn't. If you follow his links up to the thread "World Crossing Problems - Please Read!" Kip gives some information on changing your avatar or other information in post #22.

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Puck - Oct 12, 2007 9:37 am (#2757 of 2984)

Don't worry, Sheila. I went to Kip's link and saw posts about not changing information as well.

Okay, I just followed the link again, and still don't see where it says it's okay to make changes. I find two posts saying why it's not okay to make changes.

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journeymom - Oct 12, 2007 10:15 am (#2758 of 2984)

See below:

For a short definite period of time, I will lift this ban in the hopes that each of you will have the opportunity to make the necessary changes. Use only following period to accomplish what you feel is necessary and then refrain from making any further changes until the sync problem is corrected: 12:01 am PDT (Forum time) Saturday 13 October 2007 through 11:59 pm PDT (Forum time) Saturday 13 October 2007! ~~ Kip

So decide if there's anything you want to change about your avatar, and make the change tomorrow. Right?

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Herm oh ninny - Oct 12, 2007 10:38 am (#2759 of 2984)

Hi all!

It's so weird...the forum (for me) keeps switching on and off. Oh well.

Potteraholic-- I really want to see Across the Universe, but my sister thinks that the preview looks depressing and she won't go with me until I find out whether or not it has a "happy ending" Could you (or anyone else) email me whether or not it's a happy ending? I'm afraid to look it up online because it will probably give away too much information and spoil the whole movie for me.

I am so glad it's Friday! I'm thinking Chinese take out and What Not to Wear mixed in with parts of Meercat Manor

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Elanor - Oct 12, 2007 11:08 am (#2760 of 2984)

The forum is still acting up a bit for me too, keeping switching on and off, but still, it's good to have it back, even if not completely yet.

Have a good Friday everybody and happy weekend to all who have reached Friday evening already, I bet you must be as relieved as I am.

Audrey

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Holly T. - Oct 12, 2007 12:03 pm (#2761 of 2984)

Happy Friday everyone!

I have been really busy with work and Girl Scouts, then every time I've checked the Forum it's been down.

The weekend is going to be horribly busy, not with anything big but with a bunch of little things, like I'm taking CPR class, daughter has ballet rehearsal, we're helping fix dinner for the youth group on Sunday night, things like that. Next week should be better--at least I don't have as many things written on the calendar for next week.

I hope I have time tomorrow to change my avatar!

Draco and Hermione both got all A's on their report cards. In spite of his weekly conduct grades, Draco ended up with an S in citizenship, which is what he usually gets. He also had a higher average in math than his sister--94 as opposed to her 92. They both have 100 averages in science and she has a 100 average in social studies.

Draco got his flu mist the other day when we were at the doctor's office. He wasn't happy, but he handled it ok. The lymph node in his leg is still slightly swollen and the doctor wants him to do another 10 days of antibiotics.

Hugs to all!

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kaykay1970 - Oct 12, 2007 12:27 pm (#2762 of 2984)

More healing charms to Draco and some for Tazzy's Mom too!

I must say it is great having my daughter home for the weekend. The Little Guy doesn't want to let her out of his sight! Poor girl can't sit down without him plopping himself down in her lap!

Earlier she asked me permission to go to her friend's house for a while this evening. I thought it was really sweet considering she's an adult and has been doing everything these last two months without anyone's permission!

Oh and she thinks it really cool that Neil Gaiman may come to Finn's school (he brought it up on the temporary chat thread at FF). I remember a while back when she practically forced me to read Neverwhere! Fingers crossed that he accepts the invitation!

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Tazzygirl - Oct 12, 2007 12:58 pm (#2763 of 2984)

When I posted last night, I remember thinking "Wow! No one posted at all today, except Jose really early this morning." I was able to get on this forum every once in a while yesterday- if the 'page cannot be displayed' message came up, all I had to do was refresh the page. Weird.

Thanks for the healing charms to my mom! Haven't talked to her today yet, so I don't know if she has to get the pins in or not.

Kay- when I go home I lapse into asking permission to go to my friends' houses and everywhere (nevermind that I've been on my own for 4 years.). My friends think it's hilarious, but I can't help it.

Off to get some homework done, and then off to work I go!

~Kristina

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painting sheila - Oct 12, 2007 2:20 pm (#2764 of 2984)

Thanks for clearing up the mystery about changing avatars and the like!! I promise I did read it!

Busy day!! Went to the temple first thing this morning then took my friend Agnes shopping and running errands. She wanted to drop by the fur dealer and pick up her fur coat for the season. I am not a fur wearing person but as I touched some coats that were hanging inside the shop - I could see where a person might could be swayed! Agnes wanted to go out to eat, pick up her fur, and go to the grocery store.

Add into that mix me needing to pick Littlest Guy up from school, drop him off at the house, get the big kids where they needed to be and figure out dinner. The day has flown!

Tomorrow we are heading to the beach to see William Ivey Long's collection of costumes at the art museum in Wilmington. I am so excited!! I hope we can get close to them so I can see how they are built. We may even get to walk on the beach some if it's not too cold. I plan on taking a coat just in case. Seashell any one?

OKay. I am done being Chatty Cathy - Have you all seen the Gieco commercials with the Chatty Cathy dolls? Funny!

Healing Charms ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ being sent to Tazzy's mother and to Draco ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!

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John Bumbledore - Oct 12, 2007 2:32 pm (#2765 of 2984)

Now, I can't seem to get to wc1 and the FanFiction forum.

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 12, 2007 2:33 pm (#2766 of 2984)

Happy Belated Birthday, T. Brightwater! (And many more!)

Ouch, Kristina! Healing charms and some Skele-grow, too for your mom.

and I've also heard to put a bar of Irish Spring soap in a cheesecloth bag or net of some type and hang it on the tree limbs or amongst your plants ~ Madam Pince

Yeah. That'd do it for me, too.

w00t to Holly's "Hermiones"!

Awww kay, that's sooo sweet!

Felix Felicis to Finn & school so Gaiman does make an appearance.

Maria

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Madam Pince - Oct 12, 2007 3:53 pm (#2767 of 2984)

Awwwww, really? I think Irish Spring smells kinda good! I wouldn't want to eat it, though. (Soap...poisoning... and blindness and all that, you know. Or is that only with red Lifebuoy?)

Tazzy, so sorry to hear about your mom's accident! That must be very painful. And I'm sure just what a busy teacher needs -- hope it heals quickly and doesn't slow her down for too long.

Herm-oh-ninny, I want to come to your house! Takeout Chinese food and TV sounds good to me (but I have to see Friday Night Lights in the mix there somewhere.) I watched a re-run of What Not to Wear this afternoon while I was ironing and it was such a stitch -- this lady who was "stuck in the '80's" with the big pouffy hair and all. Sad thing is, I have some of her '80's clothes in my closet still I think. But at least I don't wear them -- I'm just a packrat!

At school, Little P is working on terms such as more/less, first/second/third/last, soft/softer/softest, etc., and we've been asked to practice with them. So I showed him the picture of the equally lovely lady dancers on the cover of this week's TV Guide, and asked him which one was the prettier of the two. He studied them for a while, and then pointed at me and said "You, Mom!" Awwwww... If I didn't know better I'd swear he was angling for something...

Everyone have a great weekend! Can't wait to see all the new avatars tomorrow!

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painting sheila - Oct 12, 2007 4:07 pm (#2768 of 2984)

How sweet is he!! Way to go Little Pince - or should we change his name to Little Prince!!

Heading over to some friends house to play games.

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 12, 2007 4:42 pm (#2769 of 2984)

I agree with Madame Pince - Chinese take out and tv sounds great, especially since it's chilled down so much outside. I think it will soon be time for the fireplace.

Poor Herm oh Ninny! I'd go with you to see Across the Universe. Of course, I'd go to see just about anything. Mind you, the last movie I saw was HP5.

Okay, I'm officially cold. Now I have to go posture for heating rights. What was that date for turning on heat?

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megfox* - Oct 12, 2007 4:55 pm (#2770 of 2984)

Oi! I have had quite the week. I haven't been on since Tuesday! I had to work Wednesday night; we had 2 busses, plus 65 people for regular service, and only 5 waiters on. Then we had to set for 2 more busses for the next day and I didn't get home until 11:45. Yesterday, we had Open House from 6 to 8, and of course, I saw a total of 14 parental units (out of 92 students). So I wasn't home until 9 last night. I am beat! At least the forum was mostly down for the past few days and I didn't miss much!

I hope everyone who is under the weather or in pain is feeling better! Gotta go watch the Red Sox!

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Denise P. - Oct 12, 2007 5:02 pm (#2771 of 2984)

My dryer is not working!!

I have a mountain of laundry and no way to do it all. Good thing I discovered this right off before I had a few loads of wet clothes to dry. Naturally this happened on a friday evening so even though I put in a service call, probably won't hear anything until Monday. This is covered under warranty but now I need to figure out how to get this laundry done. I may have to dig through and pull out crucial items that just can't wait and find a laundromat

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Tazzygirl - Oct 12, 2007 5:13 pm (#2772 of 2984)

Heard from mom- she doesn't need any pins in her foot, but she is wearing a 'boot' for 6 weeks, and then if it seems better by then, she has to wear a brace for up to 6 months. I think I'd take that over pins any day...

**healing charms** to Draco and **reparo charms** to Denise's dryer.

Went and picked up new work shoes, and ended up buying a shirt, skirt, and jacket (Old Navy is having an awesome sale- I got all three things for under $15! w00t!).

Okay, time to get ready for work.

Have a great RotD/N everyone!

~Kristina

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Solitaire - Oct 12, 2007 9:00 pm (#2773 of 2984)

Chik-Fil-A ... I've heard of it but have never tried it. It's actually good?

Brightwater! Didn't you know that 50 is the new 30? Rock out!!!!

Holly, what is "flu mist"? I have never heard of this. Is it like having a sick person sneeze in your face?

DJ Evans, I second your feelings about the cooler temps. The last two days have been wonderfully cooler. I hope we are in a definite trend ... I am tired of hot weather.

Pesky, isn't Viggo's new movie rather violent? I've gotten that impression from the trailers. Just wondering ...

Oh, I see what the flu mist is. I am with Draco ... I'd prefer a shot to the yuck factor. Then again, I do not plan to get the flu shot, unless my doctor insists. I have bad luck with vaccines.

Tazzy, **healing charms** to your mom!

Holly, is the doc giving a strong enough dose of antibiotics? A friend of mine had her son on them for ages for a simple infection, and yet it refused to heal. The doc was reluctant to increase the dose on a child, but once he did, the infection cleared up almost immediately. Just a thought ...

LOL KayKay and Tazzy! I lived down in southern California, 3 hours away from my mom, for ten years. I came and went as I pleased, and I often went away for the day or the whole weekend and didn't tell her. Now that I am back in town, if she calls at night and I am not home, I get a message to call her when I return. She called about ten days ago, and I was apparently sleeping so soundly, I didn't hear the phone. She called several times, but I was dead to the world, I guess. The one around 11:30 p.m. must have awakened me, because I got up and came out to get a drink. About 5 minutes later, the phone rang again, and I heard and answered it. I won't tell you what a scolding I got!!!

Okay ... I am now worn out from reading nearly 50 posts!! Buona notte, i miei amici!

Solitaire

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Puck - Oct 13, 2007 4:48 am (#2774 of 2984)

Holly, what is "flu mist"? I have never heard of this. Is it like having a sick person sneeze in your face?

ROTFL Too funny, Solitaire!

wOOt! For Herminone and Draco!

I'll add to that that son got 100% on his spelling test. He must not have known, because when I pulled it out of the folder and showed him his eyes widened in excitement. Then he ran to show Dad. (Now I know that my "say the word, spell it, say it again" twice each night works.)

More heeling charms to Tazzy's mom...

which reminds me, I dreamt I went to Hawaii, and was visiting the school where Tazzy is doing her teaching. In my dream it had fancy shaped pool, bike paths, mini golf areas, etc... I was like a luxury resort. I was only there for a short visit and had to go right home, so I said my husband would have to take me back someday. I was there with Toddler and a couple ladies from my church. Weird.

Girl Scout meeting went fine. (Girl Scouts much quieter than Boy Scouts.) Then we had kids night out at the school. Basically a big Halloween party fundraiser. I had to leave the Laser show early, because I had to work the ticket table. Turns out I missed the part with all the HP characters. The song in the background was "People are Strange" by -I believe- Van Morrison.

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 13, 2007 5:06 am (#2775 of 2984)

People are Strange is The Doors.

I am out the door to the Homecoming parade. I will check back in later. I have to drop off Hippie Millicent with the Girl Scouts, march with the cub scouts, pick up Millicent, bring them back here, pick up Tinsel and race to dog class. And I have other kidlets who want to come to the parade but can't seem to grasp "I can't watch you while I march, ask your dad"

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Potteraholic - Oct 13, 2007 5:25 am (#2776 of 2984)
Edited Oct 13, 2007 6:42 am


Herm oh ninny,

Tell your sister that you have it on good authority that 'Across the Universe' definitely has a happy ending!


Edited to add: I'm a huge fan of Andy Goldsworthy's art, so my new avatar is one of his creations. It seemed very 'Potteresque' to me.

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Elanor - Oct 13, 2007 5:44 am (#2777 of 2984)

I've just changed my avatar since we're allowed to today. This is a picture I took in California, on a glorious summer morning: the footprints are mine, made on the concrete after walking barefoot on the lawn. I've thought that a happy summer thought would be good to face Fall weather here.

The news of the day here is of course the Rugby World Cup semi-finals (France-England). It should be a great moment! **waving to Julie G.E.** and allez les Bleus!!!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Audrey

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The giant squid - Oct 13, 2007 8:25 am (#2778 of 2984)

Didn't you know that 50 is the new 30?—Solitaire

That would mean 35 is the new 15. Cool!

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Puck - Oct 13, 2007 10:00 am (#2779 of 2984)

Yup, I guess we're teenagers again, Mike.

Okay, I have tons of work to do on my quilt, and the dishes are climbing out of the sink -again. I can't wait until tomorrow night. I'll have an evening or two to relax and fold laundry before starting in on the next group of projects.

Kathy

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Solitaire - Oct 13, 2007 10:53 am (#2780 of 2984)

I'm serious, Mike. Take a look at some of the 50-year-olds you know. If I covered the faces (both sexes) of some of my 50+ friends, well, their bodies are in as good shape as my nieces, who are in their 20s and very healthy and toned. Uncover the faces, and I still see some who could pass for 35. I'm willing to bet that things are not much different in Vegas. After all, looking good is part of the culture there, isn't it?

When my mom had surgery for breast cancer last spring, she was told by the doc that if her test results and physical records alone had been consulted, she would have been given the aggressive treatment given to those in their 40s, because her "body age" is about what one would expect of a healthy 45-year old. My mom is 79!!!

Solitaire

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Puck - Oct 13, 2007 11:32 am (#2781 of 2984)

Solitaire, have you ever visited Real Age dot com? You fill in a bunch of information about lifestyle and health history, and they calculate your true age. Sadly, my real age is about 29 years old if I leave off the family history of breast cancer, but when I include the family history, my real age almost 40.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 13, 2007 12:08 pm (#2782 of 2984)

Thanks again for all the healing charms for my mom!

LOL Puck! The private schools here have the pools (but no golf courses). Public schools (like mine) do not. They lack in a lot of things. But still, that dream sounds fun!

I want to see what my real age is! Puck- I'm probably up there in my 40's if I add in breast cancer to the family history.

I've been reading The Princess Bride lately- it's pretty good, but I like the movie better. A guy at work (who I happen to have a crush on) was asking if anyone had read it, as he just finished it and was dying to talk about it with someone, so I saw it as a great opportunity to get to know him more. The book is funny!

I think I'll change my avatar to the sunset during the luau I went to with my friends. It was spectacular!

I love all the new avatars!

I went and bought new work shoes yesterday. I am now trying to see if I can return them. They are 100% non-slip resistant. Last night at work I was doing everything in my power to stay upright. Just a tiny bit of water and I would lose my footing.

So now I am off to see if I can find a slip resistant pair of shoes. yeay!

Have a fantastic RotD/N everyone!

~Kristina

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megfox* - Oct 13, 2007 12:17 pm (#2783 of 2984)

Tazzy, I don't remember what you do for work, but in restaurants you need slip-resistant shoes, and I wear Danskos. They are clogs, have great support, and are non-skid. We have an extremely slippery kitchen floor, and I have never slipped even once in them! The only drawback is they are expensive, but they also last a really long time. You can find them at almost any uniform shop. Make sure that you get them fitted by someone who works at the shop and knows what they are doing, because if you buy them too small, they are not the kind of shoe that you can break in so they "feel better". They are also supposed to be good for your back (that's why I wear them, mostly - I even bought myself another pair in dark red so I can wear them at school because they are so comfy).

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Tazzygirl - Oct 13, 2007 12:24 pm (#2784 of 2984)

Thanks, Meg. I work in the cafe for Barnes and Noble. Lots of slippery stuff. When I head to the mall I'll look around to see if I can find them. (I've got a bad back too, so shoes that help my back would be awesome!)

~Kristina

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megfox* - Oct 13, 2007 12:33 pm (#2785 of 2984)

Oh, I remember now! When I was reading your last post, I kept thinking, "I thought she worked at Borders or Barnes and Noble - why would she need non-skid shoes?"

I went to Real Age dot com, but I haven't gotten my results yet. I think last time I took it (way long time ago, before Maddy) I was a year younger than reality...

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Tazzygirl - Oct 13, 2007 12:47 pm (#2786 of 2984)

Tehe. I just took the real age test. The results are being sent now. From what the site said, the first check said I was actually 22.3 years old. Then the last time before the email was sent said I was 31.3 years old.

Okay, now I am really leaving.

~Kristina

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Holly T. - Oct 13, 2007 1:08 pm (#2787 of 2984)

Kristina, healing charms for your mom! And you can sometimes find Danskos on sale at Sierra Trading Post dot com.

Solitaire, Chik-Fil-A is yummy;  and flu mist is kind of like having someone sneeze in your face as they squirt live flu virus up your nose. (I know, ick.)

Off to change my avatar!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 13, 2007 1:34 pm (#2788 of 2984)

Solitaire, there is some violent content in Eastern Promises (hey, it's David Cronenberg ) as it deals with the Russian mob in England. The film brings attention to many sensitive issues which are, unfortunately, a reality in the world.

Personally, I respect Cronenberg's approach to violence in films as he never glamourizes it. There is actually not much 'disturbing content' in his films (in comparison with films in the same genre), but the few scenes are so realistically depicted that they are quite memorable. He really shows the audience the true consequences of violence.

Viggo Mortensen's performance in Eastern Promises is sheer perfection ... the best I've ever seen him, and definitely one of the finest performances I've seen recently. Gosh, they should pay me for shamelessly plugging this film!!!

Well, I must get going now. Best wishes to everyone. I rarely get around to posting here, but I do love reading what everyone's up to. Have a great weekend, guys.

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journeymom - Oct 13, 2007 1:48 pm (#2789 of 2984)

Viggo Mortensen's performance in Eastern Promises is sheer perfection ...

Well, and he's nekkid, isn't he?

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PeskyPixie - Oct 13, 2007 1:50 pm (#2790 of 2984)

I didn't know we could allude to that on this forum journeymom (that's why I stuck to discussing the violence), but yes, he is in his birthday suit briefly.

He's also great fully clothed. I was blown away by his performance. And if I don't get going now I'll be late for my date. (I expect some G rated conversation when I return to this thread!)

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azi - Oct 13, 2007 2:08 pm (#2791 of 2984)

My real age is 16.1, although I could poke holes in their methods of testing. I didn't know a lot of things they wanted though, like cholesterol levels. I disagree with their reasoning that you can only be getting enough folic acid and other vitamins by taking supplements - my folic acid levels are actually above the 'normal' levels and I don't take any!

Love the avatar, Tazzy!

I've actually been busy the past few days, but since the forum was down I didn't miss much!

I went to Alton Towers on Friday. It was brilliant - the queues were so short I got 16 rides, one for each pound I spent. For those who don't know, Alton Towers is the best theme park in the UK for thrill rides. I went on all the major rides at least twice - Air (flying sensation, you're turned horizontal so you're looking down), Nemesis (my favourite), Oblivion (vertical rollercoaster) and Rita (60mph speed in 2.5 seconds, 4.7 G-force). Oblivion and Rita were WOW rides, definitely.

Lovely days for all!

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journeymom - Oct 13, 2007 2:14 pm (#2792 of 2984)

Yay! I have a new avatar! I'll get sick of it, too, but hopefully not too soon.

It depicts how the fan girly part of me wanted Deathly Hallows to end.

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Puck - Oct 13, 2007 2:37 pm (#2793 of 2984)

Hmm, wish I had time to figure out how to change my avatar. (Honestly, I managed to get the last one there quite by accident. Everything I try is "too big".)

I've been to Alton Towers! Granted, it was back when my "real age" was much younger -back in 1992.

Time to make dinner. I've been working on the quilt all afternoon, and will be up until 2am finishing I'm guessing. I almost decided to cheat and machine stitch the binding, but I'll spend the hours on the handwork so it's done properly. (The shower is for my best childhood friend. I didn't think she was going to have kids, especially after her divorce. But in the past year, she met a great guy, got re-married, and is expecting a baby.)

Time to feed the troops!

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 13, 2007 2:46 pm (#2794 of 2984)
Edited Oct 13, 2007 3:44 pm

***ahem***   Curb the clothing or lack thereof discussion please Family friendly, family friendly!

I had 4 of my Tigers march in the parade this morning. Our pack carried a 20' x 30' American flag. Once we were in front of the reviewing stand, we stopped and had the crowd say the pledge with us. We got done pretty quickly and I had to wait for Millicent's girl scouts, who were much further back in the parade.

I dropped kids off at home, picked up the dog and dashed to class. Terry, our instructor, is always telling us to talk to our dog. I don't and she got on me today about it (again) Tinsel totally lost what little mind she has left so Terry took her leash. After working her a few moments, she said "Don't talk to Tinsel" LOL The whole reason I don't talk to her is because when I do, it just winds her up and makes her overly excited. When I don't say anything, she pays attention. It is just funny, I can't talk to Tinsel yet others in the class have to talk in the happy, excited, silly voice to get their dog to respond.

We made a quick trip to the library to get books. Millicent and Devin both have a project due on a mystery book this month. I picked up Looking Glass Wars to give it a shot.

Still no dryer, now no phone line...pass the Calgon please.

Edit: We discovered the problem with the phone. Tinsel pulled the phone box off the house, chewed numerous wires in half and then gnawed on the box cover. I have no clue how she got up high enough to be able to pull it down to begin with.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 13, 2007 4:31 pm (#2795 of 2984)

I found a pair of shoes! Actually, they are just like my old pair. So I know they will work.

Thanks Azi! Glad you had fun at the theme park. **is scared of thrill rides**

Denise- wow! **reparo charms** to your phone box and to the dryer!!

Off to work I go!

~Kristina

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Chemyst - Oct 13, 2007 5:29 pm (#2796 of 2984)

Belated Birthday greetings to Brightwater, healing charms to Tazzy's mother, quilting quickness charms to Puck, kit and caboodle charms to all as needed.

Chick-fil-A is wonderful! The carrot raisin salad is like dessert! Truett Cathy, the founder, is also philanthropist who started a summer camp for kids. All of mine attended and my daughter was even a counselor there one summer. For years now the ads have featured cows with spelling problems, example: "Eat mor chikin." The subtle humor, which I'm sure Madam Pince would get, is that the spokes-cows are Holsteins who are not in any danger of becoming hamburgers.

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Choices - Oct 13, 2007 5:59 pm (#2797 of 2984)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Tinsel is obviously finding new and inventive ways to entertain him/her self. I imagine that replacing chewed up wires doesn't come cheap.

We have talked so much about cabbage on the Cabbage thread that I went out and bought a head of cabbage this afternoon. I am going to make some boiled cabbage tomorrow and by golly, I'm going to eat it with catchup on it. LOL

Healing and cheering charms to all who need them. Love and {{{hugs}}} to all. :-)

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Solitaire - Oct 13, 2007 7:49 pm (#2798 of 2984)

Pixie, I know that violence is real. I just have a hard time watching it on the screen. That's one reason I wait for movies to come to cable. I can flip the channel if things grow too intense for me. Frankly, though, I do not watch too many movies that contain much violence. HP films are about as violent as I am willing to watch. When I turn on a movie, I want to be entertained ... not sickened and scared to death. I guess I'm a sissy.

I do not want to think about my real age ... my chronological one is bad enough! LOL

Tazzy, I do not own any Danskos, but friends swear by them. As to expense ... if you are a teacher, you are on your feet all day and need good, supportive shoes. Most well-constructed shoes are not cheap. I have a very wide, flat left foot, and my shoes usually run between $75 and $150/pair.

LOL Choices! I like coleslaw ... but I am NOT a fan of cooked cabbage. I hope you enjoy yours!! Happy Saturday night!

Solitaire

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PeskyPixie - Oct 13, 2007 8:12 pm (#2799 of 2984)

Solitaire, to be honest, I watch scary/gruesome scenes through my fingers! That's the only way I got through The Exorcist. Shh, don't pass that around!

But Eastern Promises is still a thought-provoking film that needs to be seen. (Gosh, the producers really need to pay me!)

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Puck - Oct 13, 2007 10:46 pm (#2800 of 2984)

Quilt is finished! And it only took until 1:30, not 2am. :eyeroll. I'm not sure why it takes me so long to do the binding. If I sew an inch a minute (which seems reasonable) I should be able to finish in under 3 hours, yet it takes me 5.

Sorry about the phone, but glad Tinsel didn't get sick. I used to teach in a classroom that was having printer trouble. Turned out the pet bunny had chewed threw the wire that connected it to the computer. (I had checked that the ends were plugged into their respective places, but hadn't thought to check that wire was still whole.)

There's a "Cabbage" Thread???  

Off to bed. I must get up to wrap the gift for the shower (which is 2 hours away), my niece’s birthday gift, which I will drop off after the shower, and one for Diva to take to her friends birthday. I need to drop Diva with another friend to bring her to the party, as I'll be out of state and Mr. Puck has to take Son to his religious education class and attend the parent meeting. Take out Thai food for dinner tomorrow, I think.

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Snuffles - Oct 14, 2007 12:51 am (#2801 of 2984)

Wouldn't you know it! I missed the time line for changing avatars! Oh well, hopefully I will be able to do it next time!

The Swaps looked fantastic. How clever are you guys? I am hopeless at those types of things.

Marie, *healing charms* to your knee and ankle are feeling better.

Kristina, *Healing charms* to your mum too.

*Reparo* to your dryer Denise.

Woo hoo on finishing your quilt Kathy.

Congrats to England on winning the Rugby. It was a very close match. Lets hope we can win the final next week

I have one more week before Olivia is on her first half term holiday , we have also taken the week off from work and we get Poppy next Sunday .

Off to check the threads before getting dressed!

Hope everyone has a good Sunday

Julie

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Madam Pince - Oct 14, 2007 6:41 am (#2802 of 2984)

Don't worry Snuffles -- we love looking at cute little Olivia for your avatar anyway! I forgot about the deadline, too, although I wouldn't have changed my picture, but maybe the second line. But then again, maybe not. Oh well.

Denise, I never would've pegged you for a Doors fan. Sorry about the dryer -- that is a shame for one so new! And bummer about the phone lines, too. So Tinsel likes raw food and raw electrical equipment, too, eh? Silly girl!

Puck, I bet the quilt is lovely. Congrats on finishing!

I guess we won't see much of the twins today -- they're probably in mourning. Condolences on LSU's loss yesterday! Triple overtime, too -- wow that is a heartbreaker. UVA has been nothing but pure-D lucky lately, we've been squeaking by.

We had a fun day yesterday. The soccer game was at 8:00 in the morning which is way too early for my metabolism, plus it was downright cold that early. But it went well. Then in the afternoon we had a birthday party at a bowling alley which was loads of fun! I haven't been bowling in years. (You know, duckpins are really not at all like the regular ones... ) This was Little P's best friend's party, and they were the only two boys so they had a blast. I was very impressed with one of the birthday gifts -- he got a kid-sized violin! A real one, not a toy one, but just miniature size. It looked so neat. Today we are going to a pumpkin patch / farm with a corn maze, since Little P missed going to it with his class last week because we had to go to that sale. Should be a good time. (I am going to pay for this fun weekend, though, because Laundry Mountain is growing...)

Yes, Soli, if you have to do a fast-food meal, I don't see how you can beat Chik-Fil-A. The food is really good, and apparently it's healthy, too (well, insofar as fast food goes...) And they stick to their guns about being closed on Sundays, despite the fact that they undoubtedly lose lots of revenue. I respect that decision and it gives their employees a well-deserved rest, too.

Everyone enjoy the RotD!

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Good Evans - Oct 14, 2007 7:10 am (#2803 of 2984)

I'm back! did you miss me?? I have been away at our annual conference for the past week, and am now absolutely exhausted! I feel like I could sleep for a week - but that is not going to happen.

I am now the senior vice president of my professional institute and have a very heavy medallion to wear for official functions. This time next year I should be president! It still does not seem possible, and I am counting no chickens at all!!!!

Happy belated birthday T Brigthwater, and I hope that your new neighbours are an improvement Azi! Glad you have had enjoyable outings and you are all safe and well!!!

Welcome to the new forummers.

I missed the chance to change my avatar, so we are stuck with the Forum a bit longer, hopefully we cna change them more regularly soon, but I would rather wait to be told we are safe before landing in trouble with Kip

We were sidesmen this morning at church and there was a baptism, the most adorable little christening gown was used and the baby was so sweet, slept pretty much through the service. Lovely!

ah well, off to check threads....

Julie X

PS - looking forward to seeing a picture of Poppy, Julie!!!

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Denise P. - Oct 14, 2007 7:16 am (#2804 of 2984)

I think INXS did a version of People are Strange for the movie, Lost Boys. I know I had it on a tape. I am a selective Doors fan, I only like some of their music, not all of it.

We have been picking through laundry and washing crucial items. They are hung out on our deck drying. The service call should be answered tomorrow. Thank goodness for warranty.

I have a Chik-Fil-A coupon here for a free sandwich and soda. I got it off a website some months back. My 14 yr old keeps trying to snatch it off my desk to use it.

Don't get me started on the dog that shall not be named. That silly thing will chew everything I don't want her to, but will bury her acceptable chewing alternatives (bones, bully sticks...)

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kaykay1970 - Oct 14, 2007 7:30 am (#2805 of 2984)

Wow! Congratulations Julie!

The wedding was really nice. My niece looked so lovely. The flower girl (my great niece) reminded me so much of my own wedding. Her Mom (which she looks very much like) carried the train of my dress at my wedding. Her aunt was my flower girl. I really didn't care for the vows at all. If I understood the preacher correctly, my niece can no longer possess ANYTHING! All that she owns is now the property of her husband! I think my vows were something more along the lines of "what is mine is his and what is his is mine", not quite so one sided.... Of course considering the preacher was the groom's aunt maybe she chose those vows special for them.

My daughter is getting ready to head back to school! She wasn't home nearly long enough! I am in big trouble with Hubby's grandmother, as we didn't quite make it over for a visit. When we show up later without college girl, I expect a major chewing out!

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Good Evans - Oct 14, 2007 7:43 am (#2806 of 2984)

I forgot to say how nice the wedding sounded Kay - glad you had such a good time. I agree on the vows, I said no such thing, nor would I!!!

Denise - wasn't it Echo and the Bunnymen in the Lost Boys???? anyhow, it is a great version.

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Marie E. - Oct 14, 2007 8:04 am (#2807 of 2984)

All those healing charms must have worked since I woke up Thursday morning feeling great. I'm barely limping at all.

I don't know if Mike has spoken to our little sister or not, but I'm dying to tell...she's expecting again!! I was in the middle of congratulating her when she said, "What do you think of the name Lulu?" AHHHHHHHHHH!! (For those who don't know, my sister has an 18 month old son named Cobain and I gave her a hard time about the name. She's determined to use unusual names.) I told her that we call Lexi Lulu sometimes and now she's gone off it. She still likes Irene Adelle, for two of the grandmas. Irene Adelle. I'm speechless.

It snowed in the mountains last night and we got rain and thunder. It's supposed to rainy and cold all day. The Diamondbacks are going to FREEZE in Denver. Muwhahahahaha! (Sorry to any Arizona fans, but the Rockies haven't been to the playoffs since '95.)

It was Echo and the Bunnymen, but INXS did quite a few songs for the soundtrack also. Sadly, I still have the cassette and was able to check.  

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The giant squid - Oct 14, 2007 8:05 am (#2808 of 2984)

The Lost Boys version of People Are Strange was by Echo & the Bunnymen. This, I remember...important things, not so much.

According to realage.com, I was averaging about 2 years younger than my actual age up until the last section. Of course, that's where I revealed that I eat red meat, don't eat fruits & veggies and rarely exercise, so I may have lost my advantage.

--Mike

EDIT: Once again, I rely on the Lexicon Forum for my family news. Irene Adele? Really??

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Denise P. - Oct 14, 2007 9:26 am (#2809 of 2984)

My tape of Lost Boys soundtrack is long gone but I knew the song was on there and that INXS did quite a few songs. See what happens when you assume things? I should have checked it. I liked the soundtrack and the movie had a young Kiefer Sutherland in it, as a vampire. I do have The Doors version on LP in the garage although we may have sold all our LP's in our last garage sale.

Irene Adelle is a nice name, if you are about 80. I would have liked to have used family names but I was not going to saddle a girl with: Lottie Viola, Daisy Alice, Goldie Pearl, Alice or Dorothy. Ugh!! The closest to a family name is Kaitlyn, a form of Kathleen (my mother) A good friend of mine just had a baby and named her Amelia. Ohhhkay. Of course, I have no room to say anything because I am sure people think - Kierynn? Kierynn? What kind of name is Kierynn? And how do you say it?? (Keer-in)

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kaykay1970 - Oct 14, 2007 9:37 am (#2810 of 2984)

My real age is 43. A lot of conditions that were covered in the "about you" section were not covered in the family history section as well. If I'd included my Dad's heart disease, glaucoma, type 2 diabetes and lymphoma my age would have been much higher I would think! The bad part is that so many of his health problems were the direct result of exposure to agent orange and I have no idea how this will affect the second generation, or even the third. It does make me worry for my kids more so than for myself (I think that is typical of most Moms).

Congratulations to Marie, Mike and family on the upcoming new family member!

Edit: After reading Choices’ post I was reminded of a pet story of my own. We had a pet skunk for a while (descented and all that). She chewed a hole in the upstairs paneling and fell to the floor below. She ended up being stuck inside the downstairs wall! Dad had to tear out all the home made bookshelves in his library and take down the paneling to retrieve her!

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Choices - Oct 14, 2007 9:40 am (#2811 of 2984)

I have to relate my dog chewing story. I have had all sorts of dogs, but had never had a terrier before. We bought a Silky Terrier, named her Muffin and she was just adorable. I used to enclose her in the kitchen area at night to keep her from chewing up anything important. One night I put her to bed, slept soundly all night and got up to find a huge hole chewed in my kitchen wall and three dead baby squirrels on the floor. For about a week she had been sniffing around that area, but it never crossed my mind that a squirrel had built a nest in my wall and had babies. It had not escaped Muffin however and in the dark of night she chewed through the wall and got them. Mama squirrel escaped, but the babies were history. Muffin was so proud of herself and I was in shock. She went on to an illustrious career as a "critter getter" - she killed snakes, rabbits, rats, baby possums and one raccoon that was bigger than she was. She was true to her terrier heritage - cute as she could be and tough as nails.

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The giant squid - Oct 14, 2007 10:40 am (#2812 of 2984)

So my actual age is 35.7. According to realage.com, my RealAge is...35.9. woo.

Denise, you're right--Irene Adele is an old lady's name. Heck, I thought Adele sounds too old for my mom (it's her middle name), and she's in her 60's now. Your kids' names may be a little off the beaten path, but at least when you read them you don't think "someone's grandmother".

--Mike

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journeymom - Oct 14, 2007 10:52 am (#2813 of 2984)

Congratulations, Julie!

Wedding vows- I don't remember ours at all. We seem to be managing. We had to find our own way through the tough times anyway, regardless of what the vows said.

Congratulations to Aunt Marie and Uncle Mike! Lulu is a sweet name, though it reminds me of a comic strip. Irene Adele is absolutely lovely. Definitely old fashioned. I like it a lot (as if that matters). I'm partial to old-fashioned. My daughter's middle name is Josephine, after my grandmother.

==========

My calendar age is 39.5, and my RealAge is 39.6. I guess I'm doing ok. Though, yes, I can see holes in their logic. It implies that I don't get enough omega-3 fatty acids, because I only eat fish once a week. But in the vitamin index it does not have an omega-3 supplement check-off, and I take 1200 mg fish oil capsule daily. I don't know how much difference it would make, though! I still drive too fast (and don't get enough exercise and eat enough fruit and veggies).

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Solitaire - Oct 14, 2007 11:24 am (#2814 of 2984)

Don't feel bad, Pesky ... I didn't even bother to watch The Exorcist.

Denise, have you tried Bitter Apple? I had a dog who liked to snack on my rattan sofa legs. Needless to say, I was not thrilled with her choice. Some wise soul told me about Bitter Apple, and I put it all over her favorite spots. The chewing stopped. When she began to do the "hot spot" thing, I put it on those, too, and the self-chewing stopped, as well. Tinsel may be tougher than the taste of Bitter Apple, but may be worth a try, if you haven't already made the attempt.

Congratulations, Julie!

I'm glad your ankle is better, Marie. Continued healing charms to you! As to the names ... I think Adele is a pretty name, and I've seen it make a few appearances in the last few years ... although I would not pair it with Irene. That combo really is sort of "vintage." I always hated my name growing up, and wouldn't you know my parents didn't even give me a middle name as a fall-back! I've begun to like my name better as an adult ... How did you like it growing up, Journeymom?

BTW, I agree that Lulu sounds like a comic strip character. Also, it reminds me of a song my mom used to sing, called "Don't Bring Lulu!" Still, I suppose it's better than a lot of the "made-up" names I see as a teacher. I also dislike weird spellings of traditional names, but that's just a personal quirk, I guess. I've had parents who are determined that all of their kids' names must start with the same letter, and you'd be surprised by some of the weird spellings and strange names they create!

Choices, aren't terriers traditionally used to ferret out small animals from holes and tunnels? It doesn't surprise me a bit that yours chewed through the wall! It sounds like terrier behavior, to me!

Okay ... time to get ready for lunch!! Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Solitaire

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Holly T. - Oct 14, 2007 1:20 pm (#2815 of 2984)

Congratulations to Aunt Marie and Uncle Mike!

You have not seen strange names until you sign over 200 girls up for Girl Scouts. I guess it's the same when you are a teacher. Let me see, just from the registrations on my desk I have a Jazznara, Ja'alah, Chezni, Maharlika, and Sykora. That and about 20 different variations each of Kaitlyn/Kaylynn and Michaela/Mackenzie. Hmmm, I could send some suggestions to your sister.

Congrats to Julie!

Naughty Tinsel!

Reparo charms to Denise's dryer and phone.

We're cooking dinner for the youth group at church tonight so I need to get ready to take everything over there.

Congrats on finishing the quilt, Kathy.

I don't like scary movies or scary theme park rides.

Have a great rest of the day everyone!

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Denise P. - Oct 14, 2007 2:11 pm (#2816 of 2984)

My calendar age and my RealAge are the same.

Yes, we have tried bitter apple, three different kinds including what her trainer calls "the big gun of bitter apple" I just took her on a 2 mile walk and she did really well. She knows what I want her to do, she is just getting overloaded with sight, sound and smells all around her.

Holly, when I had Devin, I thought I was picking a unique name. After I had him, boys named Devin came out of the woodwork. When I had Kaitlyn, there were plenty of Caitlins but not many Kaitlyns. Now, there are a load of Kaitlyns but not many who are called Kaity. I find a bunch of Ian's but not Iain. I have yet to see another Kierynn or Rhys.

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journeymom - Oct 14, 2007 2:43 pm (#2817 of 2984)

Lol! Solitaire, I hated it! I've only gotten comfortable with it in the past few years. That's why I gave my daughter a relatively common first name and put the old fashioned name in the middle.

Denise, Mr Journeymom and I watched an Adrian Paul movie last night, on SciFi: Wraiths of Roanoke. Maybe because I had NO expectations for it, and had just watched a very weak SciFi version of Beowulf, I thought this movie wasn't half bad. It was better than that last Highlander. (I still wouldn't have chosen it. It was Mr Journeymom's turn to choose.)

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Denise P. - Oct 14, 2007 3:00 pm (#2818 of 2984)

Yes, compared to that other movie Wraiths was Oscar worthy. Adrian Paul did well although I found his accents distracting. Pick an accent and stick with it for crying out loud. He is currently filming a movie about Captain Drake. He works quite a bit, he just picks crummy movies.

It never rains, it pours. The dryer went out, Tinsel chewed the house phone line and then we discovered that I could call out on my cell phone but no one could call in. I spent 20 minutes on Mr. Denise's cell phone with tech support to get it fixed which is good. Tomorrow the house phone people would have called my cell to confirm the appt and if they did not get through, they would not have shown up.

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The giant squid - Oct 14, 2007 4:06 pm (#2819 of 2984)

Speaking of weird names, I saw an episode of MTV's "Pimp My Ride" (I know, I know...) that had a girl named Spechele. She pronounced it "special".

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painting sheila - Oct 14, 2007 4:10 pm (#2820 of 2984)

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had No time yesterday to get on the computer. I left in the wee hours of the morning and didn't get home until midnight - I missed changing my avatar!!!!!!!!!!!

Kip - I am first in line in the "When Will There Be Another Chance to Change My Avatar" line. Jeez!!!!

Yesterday was so dang busy!! We drove to Wilmington with a bunch of the drama geeks from school to look at William Ivey Long's showing of a few of his costumes at the Cameron Art Museum. Amazing!! So fun.

We then went out to eat at a place called Sweet and Savory - very good, and then took a walk on the beach. We were under a time crunch and had it all planned out with a 45 minute cushion. Well, the kids didn't get back in time from their walk, and when we stopped for gas they all had to use the bathroom! Problem was that it was just a one hole stop if you know what I mean. Between them being late getting back from the walk and the gas station potty break - we were late by about 30 minutes getting back into town. I ran home after dropping the kids off and quick changed clothes and ran back out the door for Man of La Mancha. Hubby and I were greeting and were 15 minutes late. Watched Man of La Mancha, helped with souvenir sales after the show, helped clean it all up, ran to the grocery store and stopped at Cookout for something to eat - walked in the door after midnight to find Lovely Daughter and Littlest Guy still awake!

We put them to bed and had to wait up for Oldest Son to get home from the State Fair. I have been worn out all day today . . . anyway, I said all that to apologize to Kip for not changing my avatar when the time was right and beg him for another window of time.

Whew-

She

Edit - (snort) Spechele? Really?

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 14, 2007 5:03 pm (#2821 of 2984)

Kathy, just wanted to let you (and the others on this site) know the practices the Age website you referred keeps:
We use technological means to collect Personal Data from you, including the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) you just came from, the URL you go to next, your browser type, and your Internet Protocol (IP) address. We also use cookies or clear GIFs to collect Personal Data from you about your use of our site or e-mails we send you. You expressly consent to our use of cookies and clear GIFs when you use our services.

Apparently, even visiting their site seems to launch a trace of some sort-unless your cookies is off.

Wow, lots to congratulate! Congratulations to GEJulie, you little ladder-climber, you! And congratulations to Marie E. and GiantSquid!

kaykay, the wedding sounds as though it was lovely (minus the slave vows)-so glad it brought back nice memories from your wedding!

We had a Siberian Husky named Kristie who chewed the cabinets and walls in our condo. Good thing hubby is good at construction. Her pack instincts made her a forever wanderer. She chewed her way out of a steel cage. (It looked as though a Tasmanian Devil had been through it - the Bugs Bunny kind.) Needless to say, we returned the cage the next day. They couldn't believe a Husky puppy did that kind of damage.

Congratulations to Snuffles and Happy Poppy Day, early! Enjoy the vacation time with Olivia.

Condolences to LSU fans-triple OT-that's amazing.

Double Reparo charms to Denise's home. (You know, once they start school, they pick up all kinds of habits from the "naughty" puppies. )

My friend has a cat named LuLu.

Solitaire, I love your name.

We have a Michael Jackson in our school.

Maria

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PeskyPixie - Oct 14, 2007 5:08 pm (#2822 of 2984)

We had a Lisa Simpson at my university and a James Potter for mayor (or some political office) back in the day.

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Solitaire - Oct 14, 2007 5:12 pm (#2823 of 2984)

Thanks Maria ... I am used to it, obviously, and I like it a little better than I did when I was younger. Still, I always felt that my sister, Colleen, had the prettier name. She even got a middle name! The diminutive form of my name--joined with my mundane, boring last name--has always sounded so dull and plain. Of course, I always planned to marry someone with an exotic, difficult-to-pronounce last name. Alas, it never happened. I guess that's why I chose an interesting Internet name ... and have kept it since 1996.

Solitaire

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Choices - Oct 14, 2007 5:27 pm (#2824 of 2984)

Soli, yes it was typical terrier behavior. That's why I couldn't bring myself to fuss at her - she was just doing what comes naturally. LOL

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 14, 2007 5:28 pm (#2825 of 2984)

I always felt that my sister, Colleen, had the prettier name. ~ Solitaire

That must be a sister thing, because I think you got the better name.

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geauxtigers - Oct 14, 2007 9:40 pm (#2826 of 2984)

Tigers lost as I'm sure everyone knows. There goes our national championship hopes down the toilet because I can bet Ohio State, South Florida and co will go undefeated as they don't have the competition we've had to face. It was a heart breaker game too, but at least we weren't demolished or anything. We still have Auburn and Bama, and Arkansas left. All three of which have the potential to be ranked as well. We've already faced 4 top 25 teams this year. Ah well, just gotta pick up the peices and come back. I just had this feeling this would be our year. Kentucky is a really good team. At least we only dropped to 4th in the BCS...

So we spent the day at Cabela's. They built a new one here and so we joined all the other rednecks and spent 2 hours in there. LOL It was huge, they had just about everything under the sun that you could imagine! Huge fish tank, these amazing boats (we want a boat so badly!), the camping stuff was so cool too! Over half the bottom floor was hunting stuff and camo, the other half fishing. There was a restaurant and they had things like Buffalo Burgers, and sliced deli meats in the forms of Elk, ostrich, and bison. We would've eaten there but they line was really long. In the end, we got some fudge of all things. Its really good!

We are on fall break right now, so we don't have school tomorrow. Seniors don't have to go Wednesday because Freshman have CPR and Sopo. and jrs have PSAT. So we go the day off! WOO! I love being a Senior! We were both accepted to LSU by the way, so I think that's where I'm going to go. Haven't really looked anywhere else though. I can't wait until I can be in Tiger Stadium every game! (Got my priorities sorted out now don't I? LOL)

Let's see, Congrats to everyone! Hope everyone is having a nice October! It's finally cooled down here. I can wear my jeans and a long sleeve shirt without dying. The highs have been in the mid-to low 80s, lows in the mid to upper 50s, so it's been very nice!

Off to stay up late because I can! LOL!

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Snuffles - Oct 15, 2007 1:59 am (#2827 of 2984)

Welcome back Julie and a big woo hoo to you too Well done you. *sends virtual Butterbeer*

Congrats to Auntie Marie and Uncle Mike.

Glad the wedding went ok Kay.

I read somewhere that they are supposed to be filming a Lost Boys 2. Mike, can you help?

My friend has a step daughter called Kierynn. (not sure if it is spelt like that though!)

Sending some *Felix Felicis* to Tori and Ginny.

Hope everyone has a good Monday

Julie

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Tazzygirl - Oct 15, 2007 2:27 am (#2828 of 2984)

Congrats on getting into LSU, Ginny and Tori!! (Definitely have priorities straight! LOL)

School is starting to give me a headache again. I have so much stuff to do, and it is all blending together and making a mass pile of confusion. I'm thinking I'll be talking to a couple of my professors on Wednesday to get things clarified.

Anyone know when Pirates of the Caribbean 3 comes to video?! I'm starting to get impatient (partly because I am listening to the soundtrack right now...)! lol

Off to bed. School tomorrow, which means I'm out the door at 6:30 am (9:30 forum time. Man, I wish that really was the time I had to leave!)

Good night everyone!

~Kristina

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 15, 2007 4:35 am (#2829 of 2984)

w00t to Ginny & Tori for getting in to LSU! I agree with Kristina-you definitely have your priorities straight!

Hang in there, Kristina! You're just around the corner from finishing. Every day gets you one step closer.

Happy Monday everyone!

***waves to Lina because I've missed her in the chat room lately***

Maria

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Good Evans - Oct 15, 2007 4:47 am (#2830 of 2984)

LSU? I am guessing this is a University? Well done Twins anyway, I am sure that you will be great successes.

Lulu? that is the shortened version for Luna (yes I know there are the same number of syllables) in our house. I like Adele but not the Irene part (sorry any Irene's out there). Still congratulations to Marie and Mike on the anticipation of a new neice (I assume it is a neice??)

I've just been asked to go to Brazil for a conference - shame its not a HP conference! anyone know anything about Brazil?

Soli - I like your name too, I also like your sister’s, hate mine though!!!! if it had an "et" or "a" on the end it would be better, and as for middle names I am named after an aunt, could have been worse, my father’s favourite aunt is named Gertrude!!!

Rhys is quite popular here Denise - isnt Rhys Ifans (the actor)spelt that way?

I haven't done the real age thing yet, maybe a bit later....

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Madam Pince - Oct 15, 2007 5:47 am (#2831 of 2984)

anyone know anything about Brazil?

I hear they have some really big snakes there...

Congratulations to Ginny and Tori on getting accepted at LSU (Louisiana State University, for Good Evans...) Woo-hoo! That's great news!

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Steve Newton - Oct 15, 2007 7:18 am (#2832 of 2984)

Good Evans, LSU is the shorthand way of saying Louisiana State University. Their football team is doing reasonably well this season. By reasonably well I mean that they are kicking serious butt.

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Denise P. - Oct 15, 2007 7:35 am (#2833 of 2984)

I heard, unofficially, that my Cubs won first place in the civics category at the Homecoming Parade. Woo hoo! Now I need to order the Tigers a patch and make them their brag vest. I am considering stitching their names on the vest on a blue oval, using gold thread (blue and gold are Cub Scout colors) When I made Devin his vest, I put snaps on it so it didn't keep falling off his shoulders. These vests last until they are 11 so they are pretty big on a 6 year old.

Still waiting on the phone people.....

I am almost done with my re-read of HBP. I am taking a break to read Looking Glass Wars I am hoping Maus and some DVDs I ordered are in today as well. MI-5 (Spooks in the UK) is about to start season 6 there and I am almost finished with season 4. I have all of S5 here to watch so hopefully I will be caught up before the second episode.

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kaykay1970 - Oct 15, 2007 7:45 am (#2834 of 2984)

Congratulations to Ginny and Tori! WooHoo!

Congratulations to Denise's Cubs as well!

Is anyone planning to watch the new show "The Next Great American Band" on Fox Friday nights? Hubby's cousin will be competing! He plays trumpet for Denver and the Mile High Orchestra.

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journeymom - Oct 15, 2007 7:59 am (#2835 of 2984)

MI-5: Mr Journeymom and I almost stopped watching it after the second episode. Helen the assistant dies a rather gruesome death, and Mr Journeymom was pretty shaken. He doesn't bat an eye at fantasy violence, but some realistic violence just really turns his stomach.

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Marie E. - Oct 15, 2007 8:00 am (#2836 of 2984)

We don't know if my sister is having a boy or a girl yet, so any worries about grandma-named kids are probably premature. She's not due until May, 2008. I completely understand my brother-in-law's motives for honoring his grandmother. The rest of his family, parents and sister included, have either done some bad things or made some poor choices so that Grandma Irene is the only family member left that he keeps in touch with. I agree that Irene would make a lovely middle name. I suggested Lola, but was shot down. Hard.

Anyone watch the Rockies last night? It looked cold out there. I bet baseball players aren't used to playing in freezing rain.

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Holly T. - Oct 15, 2007 9:58 am (#2837 of 2984)

Marie, if they go with Irene they could spell it Eiyreen and people would think it was cool and trendy.

LOL about the snakes in Brazil!

I could get a lot more work done if I wasn't freezing all the time. Pompous jerk in the next office controls the thermostat and he is a big guy. He says I am too whiny and that his office is hot. I say he is leaving in a month and perhaps whoever gets that office then will adjust the thermostat. Or I might move offices. No one is sure yet. Something about the structural support of the building, moving doors and walls, etc. I am just waiting for them to tell me. If I do move, I want to move toward the warm end of the hall.

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painting sheila - Oct 15, 2007 10:01 am (#2838 of 2984)

Hi everyone!

Names are funny things - you don't hear Sheila very often, but I like it as a name. You wouldn't believe how many different ways there are to spell it. People mess up my last name a lot also - which really floors me. It's common and only three letters. How much damage would you think a person could do?

Went to the gym this morning!! woohoo! I am on a roll now!

I went to two paint stores this morning and almost walked out of the second one and went to a third. Hubby - while trying to replace knobs in the shower - made the ceiling leak - BAD!!!! We had to call a plumber who in the process of fixing said knobs had to remove some of the tile. The guy who is going to repair the tile and the ceiling needed one more tile than what was salvagable. (sp?) I went a bought the tile to paint and took an original tile to the paint store. The first place (a major do it yourself chain) told me they didn't sell paint that would work on tile. (What?!) The second place had a guy that sneered when I asked him about it and said, "YOu know that it just isn't as easy as you think." (What?!) Yes. I know - I need a primer, the paint with a de-glosser added and possibly an sealant for the finished tile since it will be getting wet. Maybe I was just grouchy this morning - but they really ticked me off! Whew. I feel better now. Thank you for letting me complain!

Hungarian Horntail - May I just say that you are one of the nicest people I know. You are always so positive and thoughtful in your post. ((((hugs)))) Thank you for being such a great example!!

She

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kaykay1970 - Oct 15, 2007 10:27 am (#2839 of 2984)

My youngest sister is named Sheila. She was named after my Dad's cousin. I've always loved her name. Incidentally, baby sister is also a painting Sheila. She sometimes paints murals on kids bedroom walls for extra money!

Oh, and I totally agree with you about Maria! She's just always so sweet!

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Puck - Oct 15, 2007 10:34 am (#2840 of 2984)

Thanks for the info, Maria!

Congrats to Ginny and Tori!

Congrats to Julie for the fancy new title!

Diva came into my room a few minutes after I got into bed after finishing the quilt. She'd had an accident, so I was right back up again. Needless to say, I was quite tired by the time I got home from the shower. It was nice, though, to see my old friend.

pssst, Denise, did you know you can buy those vests for about what it costs to buy the fabric? I admit, I copped out and got a premade one. All patches will be attached via sewing machine, not by hand.

Kathy

I always thought my name was too common, and my hubby thought the same of his. We tried to find names for the kids that aren't super popular, but aren't completely off the wall, either.

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painting sheila - Oct 15, 2007 10:36 am (#2841 of 2984)

kaykay1970 - (read following in your best Darth Vadar voice) "kaykay, I am your sister!" Ha! Just kidding - but how fun is that!? there are two of us out there floating around.

I found out yesterday that some people I quoted a price for a mural in their son's room lost my number and THAT's why they didn't call me back. I had been feeling like the price I quoted them was to high - but then I knew I had given them a good deal because they are friends of friends. Yeah!! I may have a painting job!! Woohoo!

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azi - Oct 15, 2007 10:53 am (#2842 of 2984)

Congrats Ginny and Tori!

Hope your day got better, Shelia! Rude salespeople are horrible encounters.

Brazil? That's a long way to go for a conference!

My grandma's name is Irene Prudence. She hates it and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I always feel my name is too common, but it's not a bad name as far as names go. I actually go by Azi or Lozra Bozra with most of my friends. I never have a problem with my last name either. Can't get more common than 'Smith'.

I had a good day until I received an email from my landlord saying I owe them two rents. What? I paid both, on time, and have statements to prove it! The account it was sent to is definitely the same as the one she put in her email. **Is very peeved**

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John Bumbledore - Oct 15, 2007 11:33 am (#2843 of 2984)
Edited Oct 15, 2007 12:29 pm

I found I am about +.5 years older according to Realage.com's survey. I really think they must be pro vegan to some extent except they promote eggs, milk and fish/seafood.

just wanted to let you the t practices of(Realage.com): You expressly consent to our use of cookies and clear GIFs when you use our services. Apparently, even visiting their site seems to launch a trace of some sort-unless your cookies is off. — (Maria) HungarianHorntail11

Yikes! I missed that. I just set my browser to block all cookies for realage.com and will now run Ad-aware to remove the cookies (that way I will not loose my WorldCrossing cookie vs. using Explorer to delete all cookies). **why can't a browser help me while I am viewing a website by offering a button or icon click to list any cookies or clear GIFs (i.e. possible spy-ware tools) used/installed by the current site?**

Edited to add...

Solitaire, I love your name. — HH11 (Maria)

Maria, what prompts you to say that? Was it Laura Branigan or Ms. Stefani? Enough said? LOL

Names are funny things... [and] ... I went a [sic] bought the tile to paint and took an original tile to the paint store. — Sheila

She, I guess naming one of your children "Game" wasn't even considered?
All joking aside, I knew at least three Sheila's in my high school, a few at university, and work with at least two now.

About the tile though, is it ceramic tile? Then paint is the wrong thing entirely. Try a ceramic studio and look for glazes. Yes that will be exceedingly difficult to match or even come close. Alternative is to get a nice contrast or accent color/pattern and then remove randomly placed tiles to be replaced by the accent tiles. Depending on the size of the tiled area, you might only need a few accent tiles. Ceramics was a long time hobby of my youth. (uh! I'm beginning to sound older than my "RealAge" age.)

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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Holly T. - Oct 15, 2007 11:33 am (#2844 of 2984)

Ooh, Azi, what a pain. Good thing you have proof you paid.

I always thought I should have had a more boring name but I guess mine is one of those common enough to not confuse people but unique enough to where there aren't three in every class. My kids' names are pretty much in the same category, in that they're not unusual but not common either. And I am just still so happy that I got to change my last name when I got married--I guess most of my friends expected me to be the kind to keep my name--but I was thrilled at the chance to have a last name that people could spell (other than the girl at the dry cleaners, who always messes it up) as I grew up with a last name that started with a Z. No matter how easy the name to pronounce, the Z always throws people off and they get confused.

Sorry about the rude people Sheila!

You know how my Girl Scouts meet at the same time as my husband's Cub Scouts since we have siblings in both groups. Well, my unreliable assistant leader, whose son in ostensibly in my husband's pack (he has been to one meeting this year and maybe 5 all last year) contacted our cubmaster--went over my husband's head--and complained about how my husband treats her son unfairly, based completely on her son's word, and, to be honest, her son has no clue what they do in scouts anyway because he is never there. And what she's really upset about is not that he didn't get to do the activity at the meeting but that when she called to see if either me or my husband could drive her kids to scouts we both said no since we had other stuff to do before the meeting and she was in a snit because we wouldn't help her out. I am so annoyed with her, and ready for her to completely blow up at me when she finds out (from the cubmaster) that my husband wants her son to join another den. He says he can't trust that she isn't going to make up something about him or his asst den leader and wants her and her son out of his den. Which is exactly the advice I would give a Girl Scout leader who was having trouble with a parent like this. But she is not going to take this well.

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Denise P. - Oct 15, 2007 11:59 am (#2845 of 2984)
Edited Oct 15, 2007 1:06 pm

The last time I made the red vests, it cost me under $5 for the material vs $13 premade. I got my felt at Wal-Mart, I have not looked to see if they have it here but with Christmas coming, they probably do.

Edit: The dryer repair people said "The earliest we can get to your town is on Thursday, is that okay?" Well, does it make much difference if it ISN'T okay since that is the earliest?? I said it was fine but if someone cancels and they can be out sooner, that would be nice since our pile of unwashed clothes is growing larger by the day. At least the house phone is working and my cell phone is working as well. If I could only get a working dryer now.....

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journeymom - Oct 15, 2007 2:15 pm (#2846 of 2984)

Oh my word, I can't watch! (And yet, I do.)

I'm watching "You Are What You Eat" on BBC America. I really am torn. I mean, Jillian the dietician just presented this guy with a bucket of several pounds of beef fat, saying this is how much fat he consumes in a month. It's -DISGUSTING! He is soooo unhealthy! On the other hand, this woman is getting on my last nerve. I've noticed that she is full of advice and plans, but what I've seen so far is really unrealistic.

My complaint: people cannot maintain these sudden drastic changes for the rest of their lives. As soon as Jillian is out of their lives, they're going to gain the weight back. Argh! I can't even explain all my objections. I mean, this guy needs to make changes FAST, so maybe he just needs to put up with her harsh measures. But she's asking this guy to change his diet entirely, immediately, which goes against everything I've learned about how to live a healthy life. Maybe that's the difference. She's putting him on a crash diet, while I'm thinking she should show him how to make really gradual changes that will last him the rest of his life.

I suppose it's the limitations of the show. It's a lot more entertaining when this woman berates people for being weak. And it was pretty dramatic when this guy today lost a bunch of weight (3 stones?). But I wish we could see a follow up, 3 months later, and see how well this guy has kept up.

Slow and steady does it. (Like I'm one to talk!!!!)
editor’s note;  1 stone = 14 pounds; 3 stones = 42 pounds

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Snuffles - Oct 15, 2007 2:27 pm (#2847 of 2984)

Lol Journeymom. I cannot watch that programme anymore either! In my opinion, if eating all the kind of food she tells you to makes you look like her, then no thanks!!! 3 stones is about 21kg I think.

That kind of programme always seems to be on when I'm diving into a packet of Jaffa cakes! , or maybe I just eat too many Jaffa cakes.......

*Bat Bogey Hex* to your landlord azi. Hope you get it sorted out soon.

Julie

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Madam Pince - Oct 15, 2007 6:01 pm (#2848 of 2984)

Congratulations Good Evans, on the promotion! GE is a VP! Woo-hoo!

Yay, Marie, glad your ankle is feeling better! Also congrats to you and SquidMike on your impending aunt/unclehood. Sooo... I'm just hearing this in my head "Hi! I'd like you to meet our children, Cobain and Lulu." Nah. Not happening. We had a girl in our office that nobody liked much, and someone nicknamed her Lulu (I think it had something to do with being a bit of an airhead.) Irene Adelle does sound a bit, uh, "vintage." But then if Little Pince had been a girl (which I fully expected him to be) then he would've been Hannah Lillian, both grandma names. I do like the name Amelia, and I also like the Lola Irene. If I'd been a boy, apparently my dad favored Floyd Cameron. (Cameron is OK, but Floyd?) And Spechele? Please...

There's a band called Echo and the Bunnymen? Really? Wow.

I could never understand how to use Bitter Apple. If it's something you don't want chewed, it's also probably something you don't want to spray some liquid chemical on (ie: nice fabric, mahogany wood, etc.) Fortunately we never had to use it.

Tori, we have a Bass Pro Shop near us and it sounds basically same as your new Cabelas. Super fun place to spend the afternoon! Little P loves the big fish tank, and at Christmas they have all the deer for Santa's sled!

I just saw the description for Wraiths of Roanoke the other night and I had missed all but the last few minutes. I hope it's on again soon because I thought it looked good. I think the whole Roanoke / Lost Colony thing is fascinating -- America's oldest mystery -- still unsolved! There's a cold case for ya...

Holly, I empathize with you on the cold office. I always hated that. How do they expect you to use a keyboard if you can't feel your fingers??!! Bummer about the cub scouts thing, too -- hope it works out OK. She won't be fun to work with for awhile, eh?

Azi, hope you get the rent thing all sorted out soon -- good thing you have your records!

Sheila, Mr. P is a painter (well, obviously you are too... ) and he said you could do the tiles as you said (prime, paint, seal) but he's never painted tiles in a bathtub or shower before. He said it should work OK, especially if it's only one tile you're trying to match. It might scratch if it gets hit, obviously, but it should be OK.

Time for beddie-bye... I'm exhausted. Closet-cleaning today... Bleah...

Edit: Uh-oh. Forum is verrrrrry slow to refresh. Methinks me smell a WX blowup approaching..

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Denise P. - Oct 15, 2007 6:38 pm (#2849 of 2984)

I don't spray bitter apple on things, I catch Tinsel red handed (or red mouthed as it were) and spray a couple of good squirts in her mouth. She pulls a face and leaves it alone. I carry a small bottle of it and usually, just seeing the bottle makes her stop but not always. She has been good since she destroyed the phone line.

Wraiths is not that good. I find the story, of the Lost Colony, very interesting but this movie was just not good. Another cast member of Highlander did a year on a BBC show called Holby City, I will have to find his episodes.

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painting sheila - Oct 15, 2007 8:19 pm (#2850 of 2984)

I just typed the most amazing post and the lost it! How do I do that? Jeez!

I think I said,. .

Thanks Madame Pince (and your husband too.) It's nice to hear what you think will work is what some one else thinks will work also! I primed and painted the tiles today but they have a few buggies that stuck to them, so I need to sand and repeat tomorrow.

We had a great Family Night tonight! We couldn't decide where to eat so we ended up at the food court at the mall. The best part was the ride over. Kids like to talk when you are driving in a car.

When I was in college we liked to talk in the bathroom. If one of the girls on the floor was having a problem we would all meet in the bathroom to sort it all out.

If any of you could spare some good thoughts and prayers the young lady that used to live with us could use some. She was asked to leave the last house she lived in. That makes 5 homes since May. She is just making poor choices. Her friends just keep patting her on the back and say, "You're messing up big time. Stop it!"

Hubby and Littlest Guy and I are going to the State Fair tomorrow. Fried Snickers anyone?

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Tazzygirl - Oct 15, 2007 10:03 pm (#2851 of 2984)

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm trying to get myself motivated!

Congrats to Marie and Squid Mike! Add me to the group that doesn't like 'Lulu'. I don't know what my parents were going to call me if I had been born a boy. I think when I eventually get home, I'll take a look through the baby book. Haven't done that in years, and it has a list of all the possible names they thought of. While I think my name is pretty common, the spelling really isn't. I lost track of how many times people automatically spell my name with a "Ch" and not a "K".

Sheila- congrats on the painting job! I've never had a fried snickers before...

How do I erase the Real Age cookies from my computer? (My brother took the test, and his age is about 15 years old. I need to get my act together...)

I thought I was coming down with something today- I could barely keep my eyes open at school, and on my way home my throat felt tight and I had a blinding headache. Came home, then mustered up the strength to go for a walk, and now I feel much better. Even feel up to doing homework. Yeay!

When I went for the walk tonight, there was a section of Waikiki blocked off. Apparently two Hawaiian Monk Seals (endangered) decided to visit the tourists and were sleeping on the beach. It was so cool!!

Okay, I've put it off long enough. Time to get cracking on the homework. **healing charms** **good luck charms** and various others being sent to those that need them!

~Kristina

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journeymom - Oct 15, 2007 10:37 pm (#2852 of 2984)

How cool to see seals! We've got California Barking Sea Lions in the Bay, and they're pretty fun. Wouldn't want to try to take a nap on the beach with them, though. They're pretty darned noisy.

Now I know what causes my back to 'give out'. It happens when I sit at the piano for long stretches. Which I did this evening (about an hour), then vacuumed dd's room, then unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. My back already hurts, and if I don't take some ibuprophen before bed I won't be able to move tomorrow.

wish me luck!

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Tazzygirl - Oct 15, 2007 11:30 pm (#2853 of 2984)

**Healing charms** to your back, Journeymom! LOL on the barking sea lions. These seals were pretty much content sleeping. They didn't give the crowd a second glance.

~Kristina

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painting sheila - Oct 16, 2007 5:18 am (#2854 of 2984)

Tazzy - Maybe it's allergies that is causing you not to feel well. Hang in there!

I did the real age test and was about a year younger than I really am. It never sent me my confirmation email though. I guess I can just say it said I was . . .hmmm. . . . .28? Yeah! That was a good age.

journeymom- ouch! I hope your back is okay today. When my back is tight, I bend over and just let my upper body weight stretch out my lower back. It hurts at first but as I just hang there is feels better. Do you think that would help you?

Azi - did you get your rent thing all cleared up? How are your roomies doing? Any slobs this time around?

I dreamed about Fired Snickers last night. Yumo!! I will eat one for you Tazzy.

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Puck - Oct 16, 2007 5:25 am (#2855 of 2984)

Healing charms to Journeymom's back! (Personally, I think you should play the piano if you wish, but then skip the housework and opt for a heating pad or a soak in the tub instead.

Sheila, I'm so sorry to hear that about that girl. I hope she figures things out soon. (Does she take responsibility, or just blame things on everyone else?)

If I was a boy my name would have been Adam Herbert. (Dad's idea. Mom was glad I was a girl.)

Lulu would be a cute name for a puppy.....

I'm torn... I should run errands today, but I'd love a day to just stay home and get stuff done here.

Have a great RotD!

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 16, 2007 6:02 am (#2856 of 2984)

After spending the morning yesterday waiting around for the phone guy, I have to go run errands this morning. I started the day well by forgetting Millicent had chorus this morning so we got up too late to get her there. Ooops. I normally have it written down so I see it numerous times but this week was blank so I blanked on it.

Tomorrow both the middle school and the high school get out early for the PSAT. Yay.

I finally caved, I have to get laundry done so I am washing specific items and then hanging them on the deck to dry out. The temps today and tomorrow should support getting a few loads finished. Hopefully the repair guy can get the dryer working on Thursday and not have to send off for some part. If he does, I think we are going to have to look at renting a dryer until ours is repaired. We have way too much laundry to drag it all to a laundromat. Not to mention, I am not fond of the idea of sitting in a laundromat with 2 kids watching my clothes tumble dry and feeding quarters into the machine.

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Puck - Oct 16, 2007 6:09 am (#2857 of 2984)

Gee, Denise, you say that as if you have a lot of people living in your house.

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Madam Pince - Oct 16, 2007 6:29 am (#2858 of 2984)

Puck, it sounds like your dad and my dad would've gotten along great -- the same horrible taste in names. Floyd and Herbert. Hmmmm. Unfortunate.

Denise, yet again I wish so much we were living in my aunt's old house -- if so you could come use our machines right around the corner! LOL! As it is, since the guy living there isn't home during the day I don't see how it could work. Alas earwax... Hope there's a cancellation in the repair schedule and they can get by there earlier. There used to be a laundromat right there at the corner of Monroe and Elden, across from where Anita's is, but I don't know if it's still there... That wouldn't be too far, but then again you'd still have to lug laundry and have quarters and watch kidlets...

Well, Marie, it seems like Diamondbacks don't like the cold weather -- you know, I'd always heard that about snakes. LOL! Congrats to the Rockies!

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painting sheila - Oct 16, 2007 6:37 am (#2859 of 2984)

Puck - Everything is always someone else’s fault. All 5 of the homes had different dynamics, mother and a father, single moms with rules, single moms without rules, single moms who don't care, etc. She thought that all of the rules anywhere were too restrictive. The last house she was asked to leave asked her to leave because she skipped school and went to another High School! How the other High School let her in is a mystery to me. I thought security was tight enough you couldn't school hop - but I guess not. It's all very sad. There is yet another friends that is thinking about letting her stay with him, his sister and her new husband. He says they have no rules at their house so she should be fine! This kid has made some bad choices in his life. He has turned out okay but he has never finished anything, doesn't have to work for money, doesn't have to go to school - you get the picture. (sigh)

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 16, 2007 7:33 am (#2860 of 2984)

uggggh! This morning we went for our walk in the state forest behind my house. Afterwards, we sat in the car talking (well, we drove to get to the access which is at the end of the road) my friend looked at her knee and it was covered in TICKS! ughh.

They were on her knee and crawling on her leg, the dog had some too. We ran out of the car and stood in the middle of the street looking for and pulling ticks of one another. The few cars that passed wanted to know what we were doing. I was afraid of bring ticks to the cat so I left all my clothes and shoes out on the deck.

Going back some posts, I do not intend to take the flu shot any more. The naturepath gave me called muco occinum which I took when I was sick this summer it was brilliant. You Can take it when you are sick or suspect that something is starting. I have taken it twice and my husband has taken it once.

Denise those swaps are incredible. This is my girls first year in scouts, I hope the site is staying up so we can refer to it.

Deer repellant, hmm. Our friend the organic farmer recommends all natural repellants. So human smells, hair, urine. Hair may require a little planning but the urine does not.

It seems their was a spate of feet and ankle injuries. Healing charms.

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Holly T. - Oct 16, 2007 7:50 am (#2861 of 2984)

Sheila, positive thoughts toward your young friend.

Madame Pince, one thing about working in a library is that when it gets really, really cold (like the one winter when the vents were messed up and instead of having the heat work there was cold air from outside blowing in to my office) is that you have those thin white archival gloves in your desk and it is possible to type while wearing those. I used to have a space heater, as did some of my co-workers, but we were busted by the fire department and had to take them home.

Mrs. Sirius--yikes about the ticks. Ick.

Sea lions--I thought it was cool at Legoland in the mini version of San Francisco where they had a Lego model of Pier 39 complete with sea lions and a recording of the real sea lions from the real Pier 39. And I got to see both versions within about 6 weeks of each other.

Have a great day everyone!

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Denise P. - Oct 16, 2007 8:01 am (#2862 of 2984)

I will leave the swap page up. If you like, I can also put up pictures on a different page of the swaps Kaity and I have made for girl scout swaps and swaps that she has gotten in return. The swaps girls make to trade are a lot less ...polished looking and are very, very simple. I would not make something like I did for a girl scout swap, I would have gone much, much more simple.

I got through with my errands and as I was loading my van, a strange man approached me. I initially ignored him, hoping he would take the hint but he didn't. He immediately asked me how Devin was and I finally placed him as the dad of Devin's friends, Tarik and Ashraf. Without Tarik and Ashraf, I had no clue who he was. After he left, I discovered my keys were missing. Rhys has been really good about not tossing them out of the cart so I immediately suspected him. He readily confessed "Giant" when I asked him where my keys were. Luckily, I had only been to a few places in the store but they were not there. Then I remembered I had changed carts when I left the Dollar store and went to Giant. Sure enough, I had left my keys in the dollar store cart.

Madam Pince, I found one in Sterling as well although I will check Monroe/Elden first. I really don't like Sterling. I may have to break down and go there this evening with a few rolls of quarters and a book after Mr. Denise gets home. I have one load out on the deck drying now and hopefully I can get another load out there. Our deck is not that big and I can't hang them in the yard since Tinsel will help herself to them as soon as she is out there.

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John Bumbledore - Oct 16, 2007 8:43 am (#2863 of 2984)
Edited Oct 16, 2007 10:13 am

I guess nobody liked the idea of using accent tiles. I read it in a home repair book I picked up at Lowes Home Improvement. It looked real nice in the pictures. ( Just found a similar example, small blurry image, on "do it yourself" network www.diynetwork.com/diy/ba_faucets_fixtures/article/0,2037,DIY_13710_2276667,00.html ) Okay, really, I'm not a sales person (is it that obvious?) and I'm not trying to sell. I guess I just wanted an acknowledgment that you read it.

**oh, does that sound pitiful**

Any who!

So, Marie E. how the weather? I heard there was snow somewhere near you...

Edit to answer Tazzy's question:

How do I erase the Real Age cookies from my computer? — Tazzygirl

Two part answer: (How I did it, there may be different or better methods also)

First, I went to the Internet Explorer (version 6.0.29 etc.) menu bar select |Tools > Internet Options...|

     In Internet Options, I clicked the tab named Security and then selected restricted sites and then clicked the [Sites...] button.
     This lets you designate site(s) you wish to make "untouchable" type www.realage.com in the "Add this web site to the zone:" edit box and then click the [Add] button and then the [OK] button.
     Back at the Internet Options, select the Privacy tab. Again click the [Sites...] button and type www.realage.com into the "Address of Web site:" edit box and then click the [Block] and then [OK] buttons. Back at the Internet Options again and click [OK] button one last time.

Second, I used Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Personal to manually scan for ad-ware and spy-ware. It is a free download for personal use ( www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php ).

     It finds all data tracking cookies and give you the option to archive them before you delete them. That way if you find that some friendly site you used often needed a cookie that is now missing you can hunt it down in the archive and restore it. World Crossing does use cookies (if you selected that option) for an automatic login.


**I hope I didn't sound like Snape or some other nasty know-it-all head-master.**

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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Puck - Oct 16, 2007 10:32 am (#2864 of 2984)

Oh, Sheila, that is so sad. It's so hard to help people who didn't have structure when they were young. I have second cousins who had almost no rules as kids. (They were permitted to do things like write their names on the furniture.) The oldest is doing okay, but the other two... One is about ten years younger than I am, but looks much older than the rest of us. She has the look of someone who has been doing some serious drugs. So sad. (And still, no one giving her the much needed kick in the backside to get her motivated about her life. Late twenties and living in her parents’ basement.)

I had a headache this morning. It must have been the dementors, because I ate a couple of squares of chocolate and it went away. (I may need another piece, to keep the pain from returning.)

I have never like ordering school pictures sight unseen, but as they have always come out well, I ordered one of the bigger packages. Diva's -who always wears a light-up-the-room kind of smile, featured an odd smirk, nothing like her normal expression. I was debating a retake, until son got his back yesterday. Wouldn't you know, he is wearing the exact same smirk. Hubby and I have laughed it off saying at least they would match each other up on the mantle.

I have 11 Daisies. Anyone interested in doing SWAPs with us this spring? I think it would be a cute way of earning our "Sister to every G.S." petal.

Self imposed lunch break is over. Time to get cleaning!

Kathy

edit : John, I remember my Mom using accent tiles to replace broken ones, and they looked very nice.

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Madam Pince - Oct 16, 2007 10:59 am (#2865 of 2984)

Poor John! I think your idea of accent tiles sounded lovely. I've always wanted to do delft-looking tiles in a kitchen or around a fireplace. I guess it won't happen, though, since blue is "out" nowadays...

Holly, I used to have a space heater in my office, too, until my office-mate went home and left hers running all night one time. Our V-P discovered it and was furious (as he well should've been) and issued an edict "No more space heaters period." I could've killed her. Anyway, the gloves sound like a good second choice!

Puck, here - have a slice of German chocolate cake. Mr. P brought it home from work. It's from a bakery rather than homemade, but still, hey, chocolate is chocolate.

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Puck - Oct 16, 2007 11:54 am (#2866 of 2984)

Mmmmm, thanks Madame P.! Hey, it was homemade at the bakery, right?

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azi - Oct 16, 2007 1:12 pm (#2867 of 2984)

Hi everyone!

I got the rent problem sorted. The landlord received all the payments due of that amount so she's assuming mine is in there somewhere. It's odd that the bank doesn't put people's names with the transfer, but I'm glad that's over! She's also sending someone to deal with the damp I found in my room (she is good for that sort of thing, even if she gets mixed up with rent).

German chocolate cake....oh yummy!

Oh, I know the need to wear gloves well. Hope things get warmer soon, Holly!

Shelia - I really hope that girl sorts things out soon! It's a shame when people are like that. My adopted cousin went off the rails at a very young age (i.e. long before 10) and unfortunately has never rectified his mistakes. He has a 'psychopathical personality disorder' which means he will never change. It's interesting the parallels you can draw between him and Voldemort, although thankfully he has never tried to take over the world. Hopefully this girl will grow up and realise rules are there for a reason and that she is acting immature!

Phew, I'm tired! Long day, although the lectures were humourous. All 3 had technical problems, with computers and lights. It was hilarious when we discovered that one lecturer was actually turning on/off the lights in the next room instead of his own. He ordered us all, at the beginning of the lecture, to turn our phones on, because there's so much paranoia about phones going off in lectures and he doesn't think it's as likely as people think it is.

Lovely days to all!

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Madam Pince - Oct 16, 2007 3:02 pm (#2868 of 2984)

Ooooo! Oooooo! The Noble Collection catalog came in the mail today! ***jumps up and down with excitement*** I'm worse than Little Pince with the Toys-R-Us catalog -- "I want that! And I want that! And oooo, look at that -- I want that! Get me that!" LOL! Seriously, it has some verrrrry cool stuff in there! (But some things make me cry -- there's a Dobby doorstop *sniff* and for the first time I think they have Fred and George wands. Dobby looks kind of odd in the doorstop, though. But I still want it. )

Azi, your story about classes today reminds me of one of my favorite TV commercials here in the U.S. This guy is asking his wife "What does this switch do?" and she's reading her newspaper and says "I don't know; I never use it." So he's flipping it off and on and off and on and nothing's happening. Then the scene changes and here's their elderly neighbor trying to back her car out of her garage, and the garage door keeps going up and down and banging onto the roof of her car. It's for car insurance and the tagline is something like "We're there for you no matter how unbelievable the story is."

Oh, and here's a slice of cake for you, too, azi, since you like it so much. Heck, cake all around for everyone! Life's short -- eat dessert first! Woo-hoo!

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azi - Oct 16, 2007 3:08 pm (#2869 of 2984)

A Dobby doorstop? That's seems a little disrespectful does it not? LOL! It's not real life...not real life...

(Thanks for the cake! )

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Madam Pince - Oct 16, 2007 3:12 pm (#2870 of 2984)

Well, house-elf holding the door open for you and all that... but I admit, it should probably be Kreacher. After all, Dobby is a free elf...

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geauxtigers - Oct 16, 2007 4:00 pm (#2871 of 2984)

I love that commercial, Madame P! LOL

I like my name, you don't hear it too often, but it's not unheard of. Ginny always brags that she was named after a state. I just tell her I'm named after a city and more importantly, a queen! LOL If we'd have been boys we'd have been Benjamin Andrew and Robert Gregory. Nice names, just common names. LOL

I don't have school tomorrow! **happy dance** So I'll be sleeping in.

Okay, speaking of dance, I got get going to dance! Hope everyone is well!

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Marie E. - Oct 16, 2007 4:26 pm (#2872 of 2984)

No snow here yet, John, but the mountains have got some. Pikes Peak has a dusting of snow on it. I've had to scrape ice off my windows twice, so I know the cold is coming.

We have two staff members gone this week and one gone next week. We're just barely staffed as it is, so I can sense headaches and long hours in our future.

I got the girls' school pictures yesterday. They're pretty good, not great. I only ordered small packages. The pictures we had done at Kiddie Kandids this summer are much better. I put those in my profile once the ban is lifted.

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Choices - Oct 16, 2007 4:59 pm (#2873 of 2984)

Oh, a new Noble Collection catalog - I can't wait. I got an offer from the Hamilton Collection in the mail yesterday - a cool red dragon holding a crystal - I put my order in right away. I love dragons.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Healing charms and cheering charms to all who need them. Love and {{{hugs}}} to all. :-)

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journeymom - Oct 16, 2007 5:00 pm (#2874 of 2984)

Victoria, what is your sister Ginny's name short for (aside from Ginevra)?

If it's Virginia, then yes, she was named for a queen as well. And a saint, I suppose.

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painting sheila - Oct 16, 2007 7:13 pm (#2875 of 2984)

John - I will keep your tile idea in kind in case we have to redo the whole thing. I painted a tile and it is darn close. I just have to spray matt finish on it. I don't remember reading that post. I am sure it was one of the days I couldn't get on!! Thanks for bringing it up again. I am sure the idea will come in handy as we redo things around here. Have you laid tile before yourself?

School Pictures - Littlest Guys came back. His hair was nice and neat. the dark blue shirt with the lighter blue background made his eyes pop out at you. His smile was sweet .. . and then, you looked again and saw it. He has a piece of white paper/plastic sticking out of his teeth! I asked him about it and he said, "It's my braces mom. I had to have braces in my picture." I am not doing the redo. I figure it will just give us a laugh in 20 years when I show them to his wife.

Well, I ate my way through the State Fair today. Hubby and I went while the kids were still in school. As soon as everyone got out of school, we picked them up and headed back to the fair!

I had (this is like a confessional where the guilt is taken away by the telling):

A barbecue sandwich with cole slaw, hush puppies, and fries with a diet Pepsi; a handful of peanuts since they were handing them out for free; dippin' dots; roasted corn on the cob dipped in butter; a few fries from Littlest Guy; cotton candy from Littlest Guy; a diet coke and water through out the day/night; a Bucket O' Fries shared with everyone and . . .(drum roll please!) a deep friend Snickers!! Ta da!!

I will not be on the forum tomorrow as I will be in the gym working all of this off.

edit: Update on Young Lady that used to live with us. Her mom got a call today from one of her teachers telling her that her grade is close to failing because she isn't turning in her homework. She is already a grade behind. I hope this doesn't put her further back.(sigh)

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 16, 2007 10:32 pm (#2876 of 2984)

It's for car insurance and the tag line is something like "We're there for you no matter how unbelievable the story is." Madame Pince

It's funny Madame, because we get that same commercial, but I think the tag line was "Life comes at you fast (I can't remember the rest but it's something like -that's why we got you covered-)"

pheww what a day! We started it with the attack of the ticks in the woods. Then I called our life insurance company. They said our insurance lapsed for non payment. I asked for reinstatement forms thinking "fine one more bill I screwed up". They said they would reinstate for about 1/3 the price higher. I was definitely not happy about that so I went and checked when I actually paid the bill. Sure enough I had sent it with plenty of time. The woman checked the file they, THEY had gotten it on time! ughh. If I had gone ahead and paid it, it would have been hundreds of dollars more a year, for years to come!

I found a loaf of Dark German bread in the freezer today. I love Dark German bread, can't wait till it defrosts. I'll pass you a slice to go with the German chocolate cake.

PPT first thing in the morning with the teacher who suggested my parenting skills lacked follow through. (This teacher had my son, and now in 4th grade get the triplets as they have the block periods, lucky me!)

Sheila, good luck with that young lady. That is such a difficult to be in. (When my mother died, I took her foster care kids and it was a disaster)

Happy ROTD!

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The giant squid - Oct 17, 2007 4:27 am (#2877 of 2984)

Victoria, what is your sister Ginny's name short for (aside from Ginevra)?—Journeymom

Well, since her username is VirginiaElizabeth, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess... So actually, Ginny is named for two queens, which trumps Tori's one.

I'm up at 4 AM to take my cousin to the airport. I'm now debating whether or not I'll have time for a nap before I have to "get up" for work...

--Mike

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Madam Pince - Oct 17, 2007 4:53 am (#2878 of 2984)
Edited Oct 17, 2007 5:49 am

Boy, Sheila, it's a good thing you had that diet Coke and that diet Pepsi to counter-act all the rest! Whew! Otherwise you might've been overdoing it! LOL! Sounds like everyone had fun! (Too funny about the braces!)

Mrs. Sirius, you're right I think -- what you said is the actual tagline. What I wrote is just how my brain filled in and interpreted the ad-men's line.

It must be the day for school pictures. Little P got his back yesterday also. They turned out very nice, and I almost wish I'd ordered more. He looks so grown-up, though! I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet...

Well, must say "ta-ta" for a couple days. Little P has a half-day off today and is off the rest of the week, so we're heading down to Grandma's house and going to stay up at the cabin and look at the leaves (if there are any, after the summer drought. They may be all brown.) Anyway, see you Sunday I suppose! Everyone have a good RotW!

Edit: OK, re-reading my posts I just realized what a bad mom I am. I was more excited yesterday over the arrival of the Noble Collection catalog than I was over my son's first "real" school pictures. How sad is that... Oops. ("Yeah, yeah, you're cute, I see, I see. But just look at this marvelous Dobby doorstop!" )

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Puck - Oct 17, 2007 5:38 am (#2879 of 2984)

LOL, I was thinking that about the diet soda as well!

Have a nice trip, Madame P.!

Mrs. Sirius, thanks for the warning. I thought tick season was well past.

He has a piece of white paper/plastic sticking out of his teeth! I asked him about it and he said, "It's my braces mom. I had to have braces in my picture."
You win!

So each week the kids take a spelling pretest at the start of the week. They give them the words cold, no chance to study, to see how they do. Well, this week my son got 100% on the pretest, and received this weeks "challenge list." He was quite proud. (I'm prouder.)

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 17, 2007 6:06 am (#2880 of 2984)

My kids are kinda miffed that this year, all teachers in the county are posting homework assignments online. I can log on to any of their classes and find out what is due, when there are quizzes etc. This old "I don't have my spelling words" doesn't fly anymore. My 2 in 5th grade also can't get away with much since I know if one has a major project due, the other does as well even though they are in different classes.

We have our first pack camp out this weekend and Iain is pinging off the walls with excitement. He is going to get his Bobcat rank. I also have to bring some pumpkins for my den to carve. Out of 8 boys, I still have 2 who have not told me if they are just coming out for the day or if they are spending the night. I kinda have to spend the night but I had planned to do it anyway. A lot of my boys are not since they have never been away from home. Iain is an old hand at this, he had just turned 5 when he spent a week at a sleep over camp away from home and loved it.

Puck - there are a lot of yahoo groups devoted to swaps. You could also check there to see if you could find a troop to swap with your Daisys. I would ask Millicent's troop but their leader is ....less involved than I would like. Still, I will ask her if the girls would be interested. There are about 11 in the troop.

Millicent goes to the meetings but has already asked me to take over as leader "because you would do things right" Since the current leader has had the troop forever, I really can't.

She also wants to do her bronze project separate from the troop since she has everything she needs and the rest of the troop doesn't even have a sign completed. Coming from a really with it leader, this is hard to sit back and not say anything. I asked at Council about the troops before we joined and I was told this one was the motivated, working towards goals, together troop. The other troop has since folded and the 3 remaining girls merged into Millicent's troop.

Next year, when I have a Daisy troop with Kierynn, I plan to start them right and actually have a meeting (you know, an opening, something planned, a closing) Juniors should have an active hand in taking part in the planning and this troop, they don't. I don't think they even say the pledge or the GS Promise. Heck, they don't even ask them to wear their vest! That is one nice thing about having younger siblings in my Tiger den, the parents have already been trained by the previous good den leaders.

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Solitaire - Oct 17, 2007 7:19 am (#2881 of 2984)

Believe it or not, Julie GE ... Elizabeth is my favorite name (since reading Pride & Prejudice when I was 12), and Claire is another fave.

Congratulations to Ginny and Tori!

Marie, my youngest niece is due around Thanksgiving, and they opted NOT to know the baby's gender. I was really surprised! But we have all been very forthcoming with appropriate names. hehe

I had 2 Sheilas in my class when I was in grammar school. One was a Sheila, one a Sheilah. I rarely hear the name today. I haven't had a Sheila as a student in 20 years. Perhaps names are regional, as well as cyclical.

Oops! Just saw the time. Guess I won't get to all 54 posts. Have a great day, everyone!!

Solitaire

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PeskyPixie - Oct 17, 2007 7:43 am (#2882 of 2984)

Confession: my introduction to the Roman emperors (about three months prior to reading HP in 2001) led me to choose the name 'Severus' for any son I might have in the far-off future! It's just the prettiest name, IMO.

Now, post-HP, I think I may just scar the child! Then again, maybe the whole HP thing will die down in fifteen years or so (when I plan to have kids, if I do indeed choose to go down the family path!)?

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painting sheila - Oct 17, 2007 8:03 am (#2883 of 2984)

PeskyPixie - What are the odds of him having a hooked nose and stringy black hair? If you have those traits in your gene pool - I might go with another name.

If one Snickers candy bar has 300 calories and the diet coke has 0 calories they even out to be 150 calories each. That's not bad is it?

You be proud of me that I only ate what I ate over a 9 hour period. YOu should have seen all the tempting things that I opted NOT to eat!

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Denise P. - Oct 17, 2007 8:18 am (#2884 of 2984)

PeskyPixie, I found spouses are the biggest problem in agreeing to a name.   I had my heart set on my first girl being named Siana since I was about 12. Likewise, I just knew I would have a boy named Shane and then later Rory. Nine kids later, not a Shane, Rory or Siana in the bunch. I almost got Shane Tristan but instead, we got Kaitlyn. I fought for Rory as a middle name on every single boy and was shot down. Siana was likewise shot down as soon as I brought it up. I did prevail on Rhys though...rather than Reese. Woo me!

I had to go to 3 different stores before I found the correct cartridge for my printer. I think next time I will just order online.

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journeymom - Oct 17, 2007 9:27 am (#2885 of 2984)

I know of two, maybe three women on another forum who are either named after Lord of the Rings characters or have named their daughters after LotR characters. Fortunately Arwen, Galadriel, Lorien, Luthien and Elanor are pleasant enough names And Elanor is not so unusual.

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Elanor - Oct 17, 2007 9:47 am (#2886 of 2984)

Definitely not unusual, Journeymom!

I don't know if I will ever have a daughter but I would certainly consider Elanor if it ever happens.

Very tough and busy week here, but I just wanted to pop in and wish a good week to all. Congratulations and Cheering Charms to all needing some!

Audrey

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Choices - Oct 17, 2007 9:57 am (#2887 of 2984)

I love names. My youngest daughter is Ellen Arwen - we were reading LotR when she was born.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 17, 2007 10:19 am (#2888 of 2984)
Edited Oct 17, 2007 11:14 am

Ellen Arwen is just beautiful, Choices. Those two names go so well together. We had identical twins at my high school named John and Aragorn!

I do have black hair, so little Severus would probably inherit that (it's supposed to be a dominant gene, right?) but it's thick and wavy, not stringy, though it does tend to get greasy if I don't stay on top of it.

I have big eyes, big lips and small nose (I've been told I look like a Bratz doll which I didn't take too kindly as I find them vile-looking!), so I don't think my kid would resemble HP Severus too much, although the hook nose does run in my dad's family. Character quizzes have so far matched me with ol' Sev every single time, so it might be likely that a son of mine would be a rather Snapey Severus . Anywho, I want a daughter more than a son anyway (ETA: I know, I know, a healthy baby is the most important thing). I'm constantly changing her name around; right now it's Mina (It's my favourite aunt's name and also has the Dracula connection which I love).

I had completely forgotten that a husband (and his opinions) is part of the 'family picture' ! LOL ... up to now I'd just been concentrating on cool names for the kids! Ah, I'll just stick to developing my career right now, I don't think I'm the wife/mother type anyway.

Have a great day, all.

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Puck - Oct 17, 2007 11:23 am (#2889 of 2984)

Arwen, very pretty.

Evan, Jonah and Elizabeth were all shot down by hubby. Actually, two out of three kids have names he came up with. (Well, the littlest has a first name he picked, but the middle name was my idea.)

I just spent the early part of the afternoon picking out costumes for the dance recital for my girls. You should see some of the outfits in the books! I told the owner of the studio that my daughter is never to have such outfits. Luckily, she has a daughter, too, and agrees whole-heartedly.

Okay, I have 30 minutes to do 2 hours of work. Ready, set, GO!

Kathy

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journeymom - Oct 17, 2007 11:41 am (#2890 of 2984)

I had completely forgotten that a husband (and his opinions) is part of the 'family picture'

Lol! I completely understand! When I was 15 I'd already decided how many kids I'd have and what their names were. I don't think guys do that. They don't plan their weddings years in advance, either.

Girlfriend will be here in 20 minutes, and we're going to plan out our Girl Scout year. I need to get cracking.

Have a wonderful day, All!

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Holly T. - Oct 17, 2007 12:36 pm (#2891 of 2984)

I wonder if there is going to be a trend in Harry Potter names like the LotR names. I guess you really couldn't tell with Harry and Ron but if some Hermiones and Albuses and Siriuses start showing up in kindergarten classes then you would know it is a trend.

Speaking of Hermione, my daughter and her friend are working on an extra credit project for social studies. They had an idea and asked the teacher if they could work on this for extra credit and the teacher said sure. I asked my daughter why she needs extra credit when she already has a 100 average. She said extra credit is always good to have.

Meanwhile, Draco's conduct grade for the week is a D again. He is talking too much, apparently. I told him as long as he is being respectful and not fighting (problems he has had at school in the past) then I am not too worried about his conduct grade.

He thinks the teacher doesn't like him. :sad: He also thinks the science teacher doesn't like him but he is convinced that is because she is a Fury (from the Lightning Thief, a Kindly One).

Congrats to Puck for her son's excellent spelling!

PeskyPixie, I'd be annoyed too if someone told me I looked like a Bratz doll!

Sheila, your post made me hungry.

My kids' school pictures: Hermione put her hair in a scraggly ponytail in spite of me suggesting that she wear it down for the picture and she was wearing a layered shirt that kind of bunched up. She's very cute and this is possibly the worst picture she's ever had made (I did not tell her that, of course). Draco is smirking in his. I never managed to get a Christmas portrait taken of them last year so now I have incentive to try and get one made this year in the hopes of having something better than these school pictures to give to people.

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painting sheila - Oct 17, 2007 1:31 pm (#2892 of 2984)

Yeah!! Oldest Son got his braces off!! Woohoo!!!! His teeth look so pretty. I would proudly show you a picture if I could change my avatar (hint hint)

Oldest two children are sick. Oldest Daughter is in bed already and they both didn't want to go to dance class tonight. I hope it's not catching!

She

Children names - Our daughter was going to be Rebecca Marie - both hubby and I agreed on this name. When she was born however, we both took one look at her and said - "She isn't Rebecca!" We changed her name - Kaitlin Brooke - and moved Rebecca Marie to the next child. 'Lo and behold "she" was a "he" so we had to scramble and find a name for him - it was going to be Aston Martin (like the car) but we changed it to reflect one of his grandpas - Austin Hiatt. Since Little guy was such a surprise - we had to know what he was in order to figure out sleeping arrangements. He has been Dallin Robert since we saw the ultrasound. I still miss Rebecca Marie - but maybe she will be a daughter in law!

She (again)

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journeymom - Oct 17, 2007 2:31 pm (#2893 of 2984)

Girl Scout Silver Award- holy cow! There's a 40-hour volunteer time requirement. And that's on top of the 15 hours required for the Leadership Award. But I think they've got three years to complete it. Still, the Bronze Award required only 15 hours.

We're letting the girls choose whether or not they want to go for the award (of course). But I kind of hope they choose to. I really appreciated the structure the Bronze Award provided. Still, that means they can't do other fun stuff. My word, they just get busier and busier.

My friend's son is in Boy Scouts, and she says the badge system is much simpler than in Girl Scouts. A lot fewer choices, a lot less ambiguous. Denise, I think you said something similar.

Gah! I'm late to pick dd up from school!

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Denise P. - Oct 17, 2007 2:44 pm (#2894 of 2984)

I do think the BSA requirements are more simple, a lot easier to follow. The hour requirement is kinda misleading because you can and should count in your planning. For Millicent, this means she gets to count the time spent on making up a sign up sheet, calling places, pricing things and a bunch of stuff before she actually starts the project. The Silver requires more work and the Gold even more than the Silver. My oldest daughter's troop tied quilts for a battered women's shelter for their Silver project.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 17, 2007 2:47 pm (#2895 of 2984)

When I was 15 I'd already decided how many kids I'd have and what their names were. I don't think guys do that. They don't plan their weddings years in advance, either.

A boy in my high school was actually the exception to this. He wanted a little girl of his own (aww), and had picked out the name, get ready for it, Starburst!

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I Am Used Vlad - Oct 17, 2007 2:49 pm (#2896 of 2984)

If I ever have a kid, I'm going to name it Scorpius.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 17, 2007 3:09 pm (#2897 of 2984)

Maybe little Scorpius will be friends with my Severus.

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journeymom - Oct 17, 2007 3:40 pm (#2898 of 2984)

:rotflmbo!

=======

Vlad, your name got me messing around with an anagram generator.

Severus Snape = Suave Serpens Lol!

I think 'Persues Evans' was already discovered.

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Solitaire - Oct 17, 2007 6:55 pm (#2899 of 2984)

My kids are kinda miffed that this year, all teachers in the county are posting homework assignments online. I can log on to any of their classes and find out what is due, when there are quizzes etc.

LOL Denise! I got that same reaction from fellow teachers when I first went online back in the late 90s. Parents began calling the school and asking why all of the teachers could not put their weekly class agendas and homework online like the three at my school who were doing so. We were perceived as show-offs by some, unfortunately.

Good for you for checking things. I wish all of my online parents would check the weekly syllabus and grades ... not to mention links to handouts, helpful websites, etc. Many who ARE online and DO have email do not bother to check assignments OR online grades and act shocked when they learn their kids are missing numerous assignments. *sigh* Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ...

Ellen Arwen ... beautiful!

Holly, I'll be surprised to see Harrys. It has not been a popular name for a few generations ... well, not around here, anyway. I occasionally have a Ronald or two. Hermione is probably too hard for some people to spell, so I won't expect too many. Personally, I believe Sirius, Albus and Severus are names that will cause kids to punish their parents, and I dare anyone to name a daughter Bellatrix, Narcissa, or Nymphadora! ROTFL I think Remus is kind of cool, though. JM2K ...

Solitaire

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PeskyPixie - Oct 17, 2007 7:22 pm (#2900 of 2984)

Narcissa is a very pretty name and quite common in some cultures. Personally, I have a lot of diversity in my background so I'm okay with different sounding names. Some of my favourite HP names (i.e. I would consider naming my child) are Minerva, Narcissa, Hermione, Ginevra, Bellatrix (oh yes!), Sirius, James (it's one of the few common names I actually like), Regulus, Lucius, and of course, Severus. I'm kind of iffy on whether I like Rubeus and Pomona or not, but all of these names have quite a bit of historical or other significance to them.

I really had my heart set on Severus the first time I encountered it in Roman history class. Hopefully HP fever will have died down a bit by the time I have a child. Then again, I could always buy a hamster and call him Sev!

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Solitaire - Oct 17, 2007 9:49 pm (#2901 of 2984)

I didn't like my name as a child. If I had been named Bellatrix, I'd probably have EARNED that one by now! **evil laugh** I'm sure "Trixie" would have been the nickname on that one, and I do not like it any better than "Bella." Narcissa? I would be afraid she would turn out to BE narcissistic. Severus? No way.

Solitaire

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painting sheila - Oct 18, 2007 4:50 am (#2902 of 2984)

Wolfric? Brian? Oliver? or use some of the last names as first names - Granger?

Lovely Daughter is home from school sick. She has a check up today - so good timing on her part. I don't think they will let her get the flu shot when she is sick though.

Busy day ahead. I hope everyone has a good one!

SHe

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Puck - Oct 18, 2007 5:53 am (#2903 of 2984)

If I get a male puppy or kitten he'll be Neville.

My friend's son is in Boy Scouts, and she says the badge system is much simpler than in Girl Scouts.

Really? I find the GS system much simpler. Maybe it's different once you get to the higher awards, but the boys seem to have so much going on. You need this patch be that patch, but you need to get these beads. Somethings earn you a belt loop, others get you a pin....I can't get it straight. Son has a bunch of beads, and I have no idea what he did to earn them. GS, it's do these tasks, earn this badge. Simple.

My Silver Award was earned spending the summer volunteer at a preschool for children with special needs.

Son is home "sick". He didn't feel well last night. (ie, he was a crying mess) His eyes were still a bit glassy this morning. Thursday tend to be a busy day with gym and such, so I thought letting him rest is best. He seems fine down there reading to his sister and watch Dora. Diva was upset that she had to go to school.

Holly, your daughter cracks me up! Has she written her graduation speech yet, as she seems keen to be the one to make it.

Kathy

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Solitaire - Oct 18, 2007 7:07 am (#2904 of 2984)

Sheila, last week I graded an essay one of my students wrote about his brother "Brain." I'm assuming he can't spell it ... since I know his brother, and I doubt it is a nickname.

BTW, do any other teachers see older kids who have always spelled John as Jhon ... and never deviate from that, no matter how many times we work on it? Just wondering ... because I've seen several over the years, and I have a couple more this year.

Solitaire

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Holly T. - Oct 18, 2007 8:23 am (#2905 of 2984)

Well, my son spells his sister's nickname Tiore and that is not how she spells it. He can spell it out loud, just can't write it.

I can see my daughter naming a daughter of hers Hermione.

I think the Girl Scout requirements are easier to follow than the Cub Scout ones, but maybe it's because I've taken the Girl Scout classes and not the Cub Scout ones.

Journeymom, some of my girls are almost done with or halfway through their 15 hours of leadership already. I let them count things they do at school, plus, since I am troop organizer for our service unit, they have had lots of opportunities to work with younger girls at recruitment events and leading activities for new troops. They'll come and ask me if something is leadership or community service and I write it down. We are spending this year trying to get all of the prerequisites out of the way, including those lame Studio 2B focus books ( I wouldn't let them write down that their goal for finishing the book was "because Ms. Holly told us we had to").

For the IPs, did you know that you can earn them according to the new way similar to the IPs they have online only? It doesn't require as many activities but still enough to get the point across. I think it is that you do two Skill Builders, then any other two activities, your own activity (can be one of the ones from the IP book), and a reflection about how the IP relates to the Girl Scout law. It's 6 activities instead of 7 and without the crazy formula of how many from each category, so it allows you a little more flexibility.

Hope your son feels better Kathy!

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Marie E. - Oct 18, 2007 8:25 am (#2906 of 2984)

My husband vetoed Rylie Catherine when I was pregnant with Lexi. I'm sort of glad now because Riley/Reilly/Rylie is such a common name. Then again, Alexis isn't exactly unusual either. I was just glad to find a name he agreed to. Before we got to Lexi I suggested: Julia, Kendall, Kameryn, Molly, and Jillian. Those are just the names I can remember. If she'd been a boy, Lexi would have been Logan Thomas.

RE: Lord of the Rings names-I know a Girl Scout leader here in town named Galadriel. She's in her late twenties, so well before the movies.

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kabloink! - Oct 18, 2007 8:37 am (#2907 of 2984)

Hmm, I danced with a family of 6, 5 girls. Four of their names were: Arwen, Branwen, Muriel, Tyrrienne. I can't remember the 5th girl-I don't think I danced with her at all, and the boy's name was Branden, I think.

Our main choices for Ian were Ian and Alexander. We had also tossed around Andrew, Lucas, and Kevin, Jr. I had always wanted to name a girl Elizabeth Ann-Kev vetoed that one, as he has a fairly close cousin named Elizabeth. It was a good thing that Ian was a boy, as at the time, we couldn't decide on a girl's name. Now, however, if this one surprises us and comes out a girls after all, she will be Brianna Elizabeth. (Elizabeth is my all time favorite name for a girl-a great queen and my favorite grandmother's middle name. It's also Kevin's grandmother's middle name. I got Brianna from Diana Gabaldon's series...also where I found Ian. Hush, though, hubby doesn't want to know that I got it from one of my "crappy romance novels." To be fair, I read a lot of crappy romance novels-hubby just hasn't acknowledged that the "Outlander" series does not fall into that category.) We're still a bit up in the air on the new baby's name, but we're leaning very, very strongly to Alexander William. Ok, I'm off to work! Have a great day everyone!

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azi - Oct 18, 2007 8:45 am (#2908 of 2984)

Wow, so much talk about names! I suppose my favourite girls names are Elanor and Rosie, but Rosie has now been completely ruined by the 'Rose' thing in DH. Every time I think of it 'Hugo' pops into my head. I really don't like Rose or Hugo as a name (sorry any Rose/Hugo's!). I'll go with the ever common 'James' as my favourite boy's name.

I agree that Ellen Arwen is a lovely name! It flows beautifully. My favourite name from LOTR is Nimrodel. Shame the story surrounding her name is so sad.

There are 'Trixie's' in my family tree, but their names were 'Teresa'. There is also a 'Sissy'. I think her real name was Sarah. I like Narcissa as a name though, as I tend to imagine daffodils rather than the story.

The top 2 Chief Scout badges and the Queen's Scout badge in the UK are interlinked with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold levels), so to achieve them you do their requirements (a set amount of time undertaking a skill, physical activity, sevice and an expedition) plus a few badges/activities on top. Younger Scouts just do badges and activities, I think. I have the Diamond Chief Scouts badge and that's equivalent to the DoE Silver Award. Natuarally, I never filled in the paperwork to get the DoE.

Anyway, I think my point was going to be that the requirements are pretty well structured and understandable here, and leave time for you to do other things as well. All activities I did for my award I did outside of the weekly meetings.

I'd better stop procrastinating now. Good days to all!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 18, 2007 8:47 am (#2909 of 2984)

Actually, in cultures where it is used the name Narcissa refers to the flower not the myth.

After Solitaire's comments I'm certainly not leaking my real name on this forum! My first name was picked by my father from an archaic language; it's a lot to live up to but I've done it (I have his genes after all). My middle name was picked by my mom out of the night sky ... and that's all I'm going to say about that!

(BTW, I love my name. It really fits me well)

My mom is a teacher and during school set-up week she met some 'new-to-the-area' parents who were registering their children. One woman's baby was named Hermione. Mom's also encountered a Finneus (changed spelling to be shortened to Finn), Lily (in memory of Harry's mom!) and another Hermione. Miss Granger is the ultimate intelligent girl power poster girl du jour, so we can expect to see a few more of them

Hey, idea: I can name my daughter Minerva and use Mina (my 'chosen' name of the moment!) as the nickname. Feel free to shoot it down like Severus .

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kabloink! - Oct 18, 2007 8:57 am (#2910 of 2984)

We had thought for awhile to call a little girl Eowyn Elizabeth, or vice-versa Elizabeth Eowyn. Alas, I don't want to give teachers (esp substitute teachers) a hard time with pronounciation.

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Denise P. - Oct 18, 2007 9:11 am (#2911 of 2984)
Edited Oct 18, 2007 10:28 am

Puck, what color are the beads? If they are yellow, they are for working towards Wolf rank. Once he has 4 of them, he earned his rank. If they are red, they are towards his Bear rank. Again, 4 means he earned them. Tigers have white, orange and black beads (white is family activity, orange is den activity and black is field trip with the den) Once a Tiger gets 5 of each color, he has earned the Tiger rank. The beads are just motivation to show them they are working on something. Belt Loops have to be earned before you can get the Pin for it. Pins are more complicated to earn than Belt Loops.

I finished all 34 of my autumn fairies I was making for a fall swap (and only 3 days late!) If you want to sneak a peek, you can go to i58.photobucket.com /albums /g241 /hilandveil /fallfairys.jpg just be sure to take out the spaces and add http colon backslash backslash To see a closeup of the three varieties I made, the address is the same except it is fairytrio.jpg

I am waiting on the dryer repair guy today.....he still has 2 hours before he is late

Pesky, now you have me curious about your name. I went to college with a girl whose given name was Pebbles. In high school, there were sisters named Swiss and Cheddar (and I have a yearbook to prove it!)

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journeymom - Oct 18, 2007 9:20 am (#2912 of 2984)

one of my students ..... his brother "Brain."

Soli, is your student's name 'Pinky'? Narf! (Sorry, had to be done.)

Baby names- one choice we considered for a daughter was Karina. Of course, he turned out to be Jakob. Mr Journeymom chose the spelling. If I've learned anything from hanging around parenting forums, it's that baby names are incredibly personal.

Silver Award- I'm taking notes!

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Holly T. - Oct 18, 2007 9:42 am (#2913 of 2984)

Oh! I have been meaning to tell you, Kathy, that we will do swaps with your Daisies in the spring.

I never understood the Tiger beads.

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painting sheila - Oct 18, 2007 10:24 am (#2914 of 2984)

Did I spell it "brain" instead of "Brian"? Silly me.

I have no idea who I was named after. My mother passed away when I was just a little thing and Daddy has no idea. I think an aunt told me once it was after some movie star - but I have never heard of a movie star named Sheila. Oh well. I like it and have offered it to my kids to name their children. All I get is eye rolling. I think that means "no".

Not much else going on here except . . . . It RAINED Woohoo!!!!!!

We are in the middle of a terrible drought. I think they said we had less than 35% of our water supply left. We really need rain!!(Now I am off to wash clothes and feel guilty about it!)

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Denise P. - Oct 18, 2007 11:43 am (#2915 of 2984)

Woo hoo!!! I have a working dryer again! The drum belt was loose so he was able to fix it. I have a load out on the deck, one in the dryer, one in the washer and probably 10 in the basement but at least it is all sorted so I can dispatch a kid down to bring up a basket of dirty laundry.

I was named because my mother wanted a "D" name. If I had been a boy, I would have been David. I am very thankful she went with Denise rather than Darcy.

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Choices - Oct 18, 2007 12:00 pm (#2916 of 2984)

Sheila, there was an old time singer named Gordon MacRae (I hope I'm spelling the last name correctly) and his wife was an actress named Sheila MacRae. I think that is the only actress named Sheila that I have heard of.

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Puck - Oct 18, 2007 4:36 pm (#2917 of 2984)

Denise, they are the orange, white, and black beads that helped earn him his Tiger. We are just starting Wolves.

Thanks Holly! I think it will be fun for them to get them from another part of the country. At the moment we are working on learning the Promise. I say it with Diva each night before bed. Then we say all the prayers Son has to learn for his First Communion this year.

Three Cheers for RAIN!

I must have done something good. Apparently I've earned lots of stickers. Toddler is covering me in them.

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 18, 2007 4:52 pm (#2918 of 2984)

Okay, then he got them for completing the various Tiger achievements. He should have 5 of each color and a white plastic tiger paw to hang on a pocket. Of course, if you are starting Wolves, then he would not have that on his uniform any more. He would have a Progress Towards Rank thingy to hang on his pocket. He will get a yellow bead each time he completes 3 achievements. When he has 4 beads, he has completed his Wolf Rank. I have complete uniforms for each of my boys, including their Tiger paws. When we have their Eagle Court of Honor, it will be fun to bring out the shirt and see where they started. I have seen some really neat shadow boxes done with the shirts/rank too.

The laundry train continues on....

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Oct 18, 2007 5:27 pm (#2919 of 2984)

the Outlander" series does not fall into that category"

No, it sure does not! After HP, that is my fav!

Am so glad the laundry is progressing, lol, sorry, couldn't resist.

Health and healing charms to all who need them. Cheering charms to everyone else.

...toddles off elsewhere...

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painting sheila - Oct 18, 2007 5:43 pm (#2920 of 2984)

Ode to Denise:

Ode to Denise Two:

Ode to Denise Three:

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TwinklingBlueEyes - Oct 18, 2007 5:47 pm (#2921 of 2984)

Ode to Denise Three! Now that I can second!

...toddles off elsewhere...

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kaykay1970 - Oct 18, 2007 7:11 pm (#2922 of 2984)

My 5th grader just got her first pair of prescription glasses. Although I wouldn't have picked purple frames for myself, I must say they look rather nice on her! See keeps peeking over the lenses to compare her normal vision with what she sees through the glasses.

Ugh! We have tornado watches out until 11:00. I hate having my daughter on the other end of the state, because once the nasty weather gets clear of us, it will be headed in her direction!

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painting sheila - Oct 18, 2007 8:02 pm (#2923 of 2984)

~~~~~~~~~Safety Charms ~~~~~~~~~~~~ to kaykay and family!

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Solitaire - Oct 18, 2007 8:44 pm (#2924 of 2984)

Pesky, I think it's neat that you love your name. I have a few friends with unusual names who really love theirs, as well. BTW, I was named after a girl on whom my dad and his two older brothers had boyhood crushes. I was simply the first girl of the bunch of cousins, so I got the name. Lucky me! As I understand it, my dad's oldest brother was quite put out that I was named after this "goddess," since he'd been planning to name his daughter after her. Never mind that he had three boys! LOL

Journeymom ... hehe I had to restrain myself from making a similar comment on his paper. Sometimes students present us with golden opportunities to really zing them ... and it takes considerable self-control not to do it!

Sheila, I think you (or whoever it was) said Brian. I just saw it, and it reminded me of the paper I'd read just a few days before ... in which my student referred to his brother as "Brain," not once but repeatedly.

Prayers for the safety of you and your family, Kaykay ... and anyone else in harm's way.

Solitaire

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 18, 2007 9:51 pm (#2925 of 2984)

BTW, do any other teachers see older kids who have always spelled John as Jhon ... Solitaire

Soli, is this student Hispanic? It is very common for native Spanish speaker to spell that name that way. Jhon - Jhonnie

After Solitaire's comments I'm certainly not leaking my real name on this forum! Pesky

he he he, My first name which I n-e-v-e-r use is Santa, as in Saint, as in Santa Claus, so no, I never use it. Today I was talking to a lady who asked about my triplets, she kept saying, "oh you must be a Saint". That's funny because I have always said "I am no saint".

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Solitaire - Oct 18, 2007 10:59 pm (#2926 of 2984)

Mrs. Sirius, one of my "Jhon" spellers spoke Spanish as his first language ... but the majority have been English-only.

One year I had a student named Santana ... doesn't it also mean saint? She is one of the most well-rounded students I've ever had. This girl had (and hopefully still has) it all, even at the age of 12-13--academic excellence, positive attitude, self-motivation, outstanding athletic ability, respect of her fellow students. Your name reminded me of her.

Solitaire

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Tazzygirl - Oct 18, 2007 11:09 pm (#2927 of 2984)

Thanks John!

Since I was little I've always wanted three kids. Two girls and One boy (because I have one sister and one brother). Girls would be named Danae Rae and Ava June. The boy would be Brendan Michael. Danae- name out of a David Eddings book; Rae is a family name; Ava is just a pretty name; June was my Grandmother's middle name; Brendan because I've always liked it; and Michael is my dad's name and my brother's middle name. Now hopefully whoever I marry goes along with it!

Interesting name, Mrs Sirius! My sister's middle name is 'Deedlebop'. Brother named her, parents thought it was kinda funny and put it on her birth certificate. When sister graduated high school, I think my parents took it off her birth certificate and sister got really mad. Yeah- I've got a strange family.

Ellen Arwen is a beautiful name!

**healing charms** to your son, Kathy!

**safety charms** to you and your family, Kay!

I have six weeks left of school, and I am so behind. I so can't WAIT until December!

Probably should hammer out a couple reflections (I think I've written at least 50 since school started. My opinion of reflections has not changed since the last time I wrote about them. )

Have a great weekend everyone!

~Kristina

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jose043 - Oct 18, 2007 11:47 pm (#2928 of 2984)

Hi All

Healing charms, get well charms to all the kids of Forum that need them safety charms to those that are having storms or Tornados.

Anne shares my middle name as her first name & her Dad's name Robert with an A on it she doesn't like it at all. My son was named after a brother of Rob's who drowned Rob's middle name & Rob's Dad's middle name & my brothers & Dads middle name (Ross Gordon John). Anne's full name is Anne Roberta. Mine of course is Josephine Anne what put my maiden name to this.

Josephine & Anne

Little Werewolves of London

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Puck - Oct 19, 2007 5:38 am (#2929 of 2984)

Solitaire, so your Mom had no problem naming you after the "goddess" of your Dad's childhood? That's one very secure woman!  Mr. Puck had trouble with the middle name I pick for Diva. It's a feminine form of my Dad’s name, who passed away when I was a child. Trouble is, Mr. Puck was once engaged to a woman of that name. I figure, it's the middle name, not the first, I've never met the woman, and if I can handle it, so can he.

I always wanted an Elizabeth, but hubby wasn't keen on that one. It's a family name (Two grandmothers had it as first names, myself, an aunt, and a cousin have it as middle names.) Brother stepped up and carried on the tradition by giving the name to his daughter.

I found the Bones of Fred McFee -  I'm mystery reader in Son's class today, and wanted to read it. Of course, right after I found it, I got all sad thinking about Fred.

Son is doing better. Wasn't overly impressed that I asked if Diva could bring some work home for him.

Anyone else unable to get to the FFF? The page comes up blank with an "e1" in the corner.

Thanks for the info, Denise. Unfortunately, we didn't get those things until the very end of the year, so not much chance to wear them as Tigers. A nice keepsake though.

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 19, 2007 5:54 am (#2930 of 2984)

There is apparently a statewide burning ban, which will make things interesting at our campfire tomorrow night. It is sprinkling a little bit right now. We are also supposed to be carving pumpkins so I need to get something to put in them. I just bought a bunch of glo-sticks so I will give those to my boys.

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! I got notice yesterday that the boxed edition of the HP books was shipped. This is the one in a trunk. It is a christmas present from Mr. Denise so I can't open it before it gets here. I did get him a 31 piece tool set yesterday, for free! The kids are forever running off with his tools, which is really irritating when you go to get something. I think I may also get him a lock for the toolbox. We let fear and common sense be our guide growing up, we never touched my dad's tools. I ordered two itty bitty flying helicopters (RC) for Nicholas and they came in. My hiding spot for gifts that I buy as I see them is getting pretty full now.

Tinsel is set to take her Canine Good Citizen test tomorrow. I am going to ask that it not count since I think she won't pass. Maybe I will be stunned and she will pass. She is still very young and very much a puppy so I don't really expect her to be able to pass. Meeting a friendly dog, she will lose her mind and want to go say hello.

Mr. Denise was told yesterday that everyone would be getting a year end bonus. Woo hoo! We are planning to use it to finish off the basement, put a room down there and a bathroom. The basement is already half finished. One half is carpeted and has lighting. We want to knock out part of a wall to put a door back to the unfinished section, make it into a room and also put a bathroom there. We are planning to keep a good section unfinished to use as storage space, that is where the heating/cooling system is.

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Solitaire - Oct 19, 2007 6:36 am (#2931 of 2984)

Yikes, Tazzy , Brendan? I have one this year (had him last year, too) in 2 classes, and he is making me nuts! Actually, he is very bright and a cute kid ... but he is incredibly noisy and "squirrelly." He is always stirring up something.

Puck, my mom is the most secure woman in the world! My dad was always a ladies' man ... although he left no doubt who was his favorite lady. In fact, Mom always teased him about all of his "girlfriends." At church, the ladies--whether 4 or 94--loved Dad and always came up to greet him. During the last year, when he was sometimes in a wheelchair, little kids would crawl up onto his lap. The young married women especially liked him because, over the years, he acted as a kind of mentor/counselor to a lot of young husbands who apparently needed it. Many of them talked about that at his memorial service. Actually, everyone loved Dad. He loved people, and it just showed all over him. I sure miss him.

Denise, we really have to pay attention to burning restrictions around here, or we can be fined. I love to use my fireplace in the winter, as it cuts down on heating costs. I like the front area of the house warm and the bedrooms cool; the fireplace lets me do that without requiring the heater. Last year I burned occasionally; the year before I didn't burn a single time. I hope we have more burn days this year.

Solitaire

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kaykay1970 - Oct 19, 2007 6:39 am (#2932 of 2984)

Thanks for the safe weather charms. We saw just a bit of lightning and rain, but not much more. The really nasty storms went through well north of here.

Kathy, FFF does the same for me when I try to load it, so you are not alone.

Your Dad sounds like he was a wonderful man, Soli! Thanks for sharing.

Daddy never tried to keep us out of his toolbox. He was more like "Grab that 3/4" wrench and come give me a hand would ya?" But we also knew that the tool had to be put back into the box in the exact spot we had taken it from!

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John Bumbledore - Oct 19, 2007 7:14 am (#2933 of 2984)

**Toddles off elsewhere** — TBE

As I was reading TBE's posts I began to think of her as a Tee-toddler...

A Name I want to see:

Mockingbird Tequila (And Yoda would say, "Drink T------- M----------, you do." LOL)

Should we use Ste. Sirius or Mrs. Ste. Sirius?

Or just Sirius Saint? Ever notice Saint contains the word "Ain't!" LOL

My wife always says I have better wit when I am very tired.
Since I have had little sleep the past few days, I thought I'd throw out a few thoughts.

Rubbish.

Are they a bit random? I prefer Eclectic!

Happy RotD(A/E/N) to all!

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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The giant squid - Oct 19, 2007 8:18 am (#2934 of 2984)

My opinion of reflections has not changed since the last time I wrote about them.—Tazzygirl

Perhaps you should write a reflection on the topic of reflections...

John, your eclecticity is refreshing. It's good to know that at least one other person out there has neurons that misfire as often as mine!

--Mike

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Denise P. - Oct 19, 2007 8:38 am (#2935 of 2984)

For those of you with Cub Scouts who have considered getting the red felt vest, there is a pattern online. This vest only has 2 straight lines, about 3" long each, that have to be sewn. Since it is felt, it does not have to be hemmed at all. This means you can easily do this by hand in a short period of time. I just got felt to make vests for my boys. The felt is $3.77 a yard, each yard makes 2 vests (34"x24" piece of material needed)...meaning total for materials per vest is under $2 with thread. That is a lot better than paying the $12-14 per vest already made. If you are interested, I can send a link to the pattern.

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journeymom - Oct 19, 2007 9:10 am (#2936 of 2984)

Lol, John! Does this mean when you've had a good night's sleep you won't be as entertaining? Bummer!

Soli, I love that story about your name. And it sounds like your father was very special.

My oldest sister's name is Elaine. Recently I wondered if my parents purposefully named two of their kids after Arthurian characters, or was it just coincidence.

============

Now I remember what I meant to mention. My daughter, 12 years old, read Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett, and I'm about half way through it. I can't recommend it enough. It is so creative, funny, sweet, intriguing. Pratchett is such a good story teller.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 19, 2007 10:13 am (#2937 of 2984)

I know of twin sisters named Nova and Scotia (for those who are not familiar, Nova Scotia is a Canadian maritime province). I thought that was pretty original until I heard of Swiss and Cheddar!

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Puck - Oct 19, 2007 10:20 am (#2938 of 2984)

Darn! I already have the vest! Oh, well! I knew that it would simple to make, but had "sew" many projects already, I just ordered one when I got the rest of his Wolf stuff.

Soli, thanks for sharing about your Dad. He sounds amazing!

I know a family with 2 sons named Finn and Sawyer. I expected the daughter to be introduced as Becky, but was surprised to hear she called Delilah.

The kids enjoyed the stories at school this morning. Son was surprised to see me. I read Fred McFee, a selection from the deathday party in CoS, and a couple of Halloween poems by Silverstein. Toddler sat very nicely with the big kids, and then helped run a bunch of errands. Now, she's in bed and I have an hour to do some work before my friend arrives to drop off her son so she can go to Girl Scouts. (We swap Fridays with our troops so we can watch each others younger kids.)

Cheers! Kathy

wOOt! I got the FFF back!

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Herm oh ninny - Oct 19, 2007 10:47 am (#2939 of 2984)

Hi all!

I love all the name info! I am Greek so, of course, I was named after my grandmother Kaliopi. My sister got my other grandmother's name- Zinovia. My parents' names are Anna and Haralambos, so I foresee at least one of my future children being named one of those.

I am soo glad it's Friday! My sister's and I are going out to dinner and then we are going to go watch The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 19, 2007 10:53 am (#2940 of 2984)

Kaliopi and Zinovia are such lovely names. It's the first time I've heard either.

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Holly T. - Oct 19, 2007 11:31 am (#2941 of 2984)

All of my son's stuffed zebras have names that start with Z's so I am going to suggest Zinovia for his next one! Lest you think I am being disrespectful of your grandmother, Herm oh ninny, you should know that one of his zebras is named after my great-grandmother, Zama. He has something like 30 zebras so I am always excited when I find a new zebra name.

Soli, nice story about your dad.

I bought son's red vest on eBay. Pack meeting was last night and my assistant Girl Scout leader (not the crazy one) has her other troop--of Brownies--with her younger daughter meeting at the same place (different room) as the pack meeting. Of course my son had to go in an show off his Cub Scout uniform to her daughter, who is his friend. She hugged him and made a fuss about all of his patches and when he went in with the Cub Scouts she whispered (loudly) to the other Brownies (second grade): "He's my boyfriend."

My dad was in graduate school working on his master's in biology when my sister was born. He wanted her middle name to be the genus name of some insect. I can't remember what right now, but he thought it sounded pretty. My mom overruled him.

I have had several people ask me what Holly is short for.

I am having a Partylite candle show at my house tomorrow night and need to find time to clean before then. And put up my Halloween decorations!

Oh--I have the perfect thing for John to ponder in his sleep-deprived state. Tomorrow morning my husband is in charge of the pumpkin delivery to our church's pumpkin patch as the youth director who would normally be in charge is out of town. My husband has a nice bright orange hat with his hunting gear. So--what should I paint on the hat in black letters before tomorrow morning--"Great Pumpkin" or "Pumpkin Head"?

Any of the rest of you are welcome to ponder that too! And yes I am going to take the time to make a silly hat when I should be cleaning my house. I have my priorities sorted out, after all.

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Choices - Oct 19, 2007 12:32 pm (#2942 of 2984)

I saw a young lady on Jeopardy the other night (kid's competition) and her name was Bethlehem. I love unusual names and love to hear the stories behind the unusual name.

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Marie E. - Oct 19, 2007 12:56 pm (#2943 of 2984)

In my business-daycare-I hear a lot of unusual names. Here's a short list: Manhattan (nicknamed Mattie), Cannon, Amythest, Genesis, Tenley, Temple, Ayslin, Kellin, Israel and Isis (siblings), Zayden, Zayne, Libby, Annabella, Hallie, Violet, Slade, Salem, Dane. Some common names: Jacob, Kiley, Aiden, Kaden, Katelyn, Alexis/Alexa, Kai, Emma, Serenity, Ava, Ella.

There is a staph infection going around out here and one little girl at our center has one. We're in major cleaning mode at work.

They're predicting snow for Sunday. We're actually overdue our first snow so I can't complain. Much. (But I will.)

We're going to an Air Force Academy women's volleyball game tonight. Lexi's class has a member of the team as a penpal and the whole class gets to meet her after the game. To say Lexi is excited is an understatement. If she was a dog, she'd be doing that "wag your whole body" thing.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 19, 2007 1:28 pm (#2944 of 2984)

LOL Soli! I've known several Brendans, and they've all been super sweet and nice.

Squid Mike: Perhaps you should write a reflection on the topic of reflections...

But then that would be another reflection added to the pile.

Puck- the FFF has been down (for me) since Wednesday. **just got to your next post** It's back!! w00t!

Marie- I thought Hawaii was the one with uncommon names. I can't remember them right now, but they ranked up there with yours. I remember when we lived in Mississippi there were twins Lemonjello and Orangejello (pronounce it with an Italian accent and you have it) and another name that was pronounced way different from how it is spelled. I won't put it here, as the way it is spelled is not Forum-friendly. (I think I might have mentioned Lemonjello and Orangejello a looooong time ago. Not sure.)

I work at 3 today, so I have 4 hours to write a lesson plan up and two reflections (grrrr). I at least have to get the lesson plan done, as it is due tonight.

Have a great weekend everyone!

~Kristina

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Puck - Oct 19, 2007 2:31 pm (#2945 of 2984)

Mike, I just saw your Seasame Street debut! Elmo wanted to be a "bookaneer" like the "pirates of the ChartersBe Readin' ", so he had to take a test. One part was he had to say the alphabet with the Giant Squid.

I had an Acadia in my class, once. She went by "Cadie".

Time to make dinner before bringing Son to Scouts.

Kathy

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Eponine - Oct 19, 2007 3:44 pm (#2946 of 2984)

I've just skimmed 150something posts.

Sheila, I'm so glad it finally rained! I was surprised to wake up and find everything wet this morning.

Names. I see some very interesting ones at the library. One of my favorites is Innocent Prosper (first and middle). There's a lot of extremely odd spellings too.

We don't have children yet, but when we do we're going to have a hard time finding names because I have very strong opinions on names, and I tend to relate names to people I've known. Mr. Eponine can completely separate names from people, but I can't. We do know we're going to saddle our first boy (if we ever have one) with 3 names because we both have names we want to use. I'm insisting on Douglas (my dad's name) and he's insisting on Malone (family tradition), but I don't want to use either of those for a first name.

When I was younger I didn't like my name (Rebekah), but I like it now. People always spell it wrong, but I'm used to that.

Anyway, I hope everyone is well.

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Victoire Weasley - Oct 19, 2007 5:00 pm (#2947 of 2984)

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Nicole. I live in Northern California, we have a lot of rain here too. Actually, we have mostly rain here.

On the subject of names, I have a daughter named Ivy. We just picked the name because we liked it, it never really had any special meaning or connotation for me. But when she was little an elderly man asked me if I knew the song that goes something like "Mares eat oats and does eat oats, but little lambs eat ivy..." Now I always think of that song when I think of the name, even though I've never heard it. Kind of funny...

I look forward to conversing with you all more often.

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Puck - Oct 19, 2007 5:35 pm (#2948 of 2984)

Welcome Victoire! Hope you enjoy this forum family!

We had such a great den meeting! Our leader has a workshop in an old barn on his property. The boys got to hammer nails, use a hand drill and a power drill, and screw wheels onto wooden car cut-outs.

Rain? We needed it, and boy are we getting it! It's really looking like fall! The leaves are hitting peak about now. It's beautiful when the skies clear.

Time to go relax, maybe make a cup of tea. (Did I mention French Vanilla is super yum?)

Kathy

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Choices - Oct 19, 2007 5:40 pm (#2949 of 2984)

Mercy, I have heard that song all my life and just now see what the words actually are - LOL All this time I thought it said, "Maresy dotes and doesy dotes, and little lambsey diveys." I thought it was just a nonsense rhyme. By golly, you learn something every blooming day. :-)

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kaykay1970 - Oct 19, 2007 7:03 pm (#2950 of 2984)

“A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you? And if the words sound queer and funny to your ear, a little bit jumbled and jivey, sing mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat iiiivey...”

Yay! Denver and the Mile High Orchestra made it through the auditions and are going to be on the show! WooHoo! The competition is gonna be pretty tough though! Lots of great bands tried out. They sent home one of my favorites...

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Solitaire - Oct 19, 2007 7:55 pm (#2951 of 2984)

Thanks for letting me share about Dad. Yes, he was special to me, but he had a lasting impact on the lives of many people. After I wrote that comment this morning, I got kind of teary, because it reminded me of how very much I loved him and miss him--his wisdom and especially his humor.

Wow, I haven't heard "Maresy doats and doesy doats ..." in years!! Thanks for the memory.

Solitaire

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geauxtigers - Oct 20, 2007 12:11 am (#2952 of 2984)

So actually, Ginny is named for two queens, which trumps Tori's one.   Yeah well,    at Mike! LOL My name is latin for 'the winner', so no matter what, I'll always be the winner!

My mom has an interesting name that is always mispronounced. Her middle name is weird too. My dad has a normal name, just not heard very often. Generational thing, me thinks.

So since we are talking about it, I want 2 kids. The boy would be have to be older because it's more fun to have an older brother, right? LOL Then and younger girl. I have a cousin named Owen, and I love that name, but I really can't name my kid after my cousin. I like James, and Luke as well. For a girl, I think she'll get my name as a middle name. I dunno what I'd name her though! I have too many names I can't name my kids because of people I know.

It's supposed to get down to 48F tonight! WOOO! Time for a fire in the fireplace! Well I'm off to bed, its after 2 am here and my sheets just got out the dryer!

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Kip Carter - Oct 20, 2007 1:05 am (#2953 of 2984)

I enjoyed the short discussion on "Mairzy Doats" and felt a little more insight into the lyrics should be offered; however due to the lack of time right now, I suggest that you visit Mairzy Doats page on Wikipedia for a brief history of the song.

Normally links to site that have not been approved are not allowed on our Forums; however I have checked out this page out and I feel that it would cause no problems according to our guidelines.

I hope you enjoy the jump back into the past. I was three years old when the song was composed; however I remember it very well from my childhood. Yes, I realize that only dirt is older than I am . . .

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painting sheila - Oct 20, 2007 6:15 am (#2954 of 2984)

Kip- It gives me a great feeling of security knowing you are there - lurking, ever lurkin - and keeping this forum safe and sound!

You are loved -

She

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megfox* - Oct 20, 2007 6:20 am (#2955 of 2984)

Go get 'em, Kip!

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Puck - Oct 20, 2007 10:41 am (#2956 of 2984)

LoL on the song! Thanks for the slightly illegal link.

Driving to dance class was beautiful. I drive there along a tree lined road. The sky was cloudy, so there was no glare. The leaves were brilliant.

Time to finally put up those Halloween decorations. Plus, the kids want to go swimming.

Kathy

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megfox* - Oct 20, 2007 10:56 am (#2957 of 2984)

I am taking a break from writing my narrative progress reports. Thank goodness for copy and paste! I write about 3 paragraphs for each student, and I have 87 of them. I write about 15 pages of text when doing one set of progress reports. I am so glad I only have to do these 4 times a year!

I love the discussion of baby names. It was such an important decision, and I love to think about all the beautiful, wonderful, meaningful names that we came up with and know that Maddy's name was chosen literally after she was born. Her full name is Madeline Guinevere, but she was going to be Guinevere Madeline. We spent hours and hours on both boy and girl names because we didn't know what she was going to be, and we finally settled on Guinevere Madeline and Oliver Miles. Well, Madeline was the name of my best friend who died in a car crash when I was 16, and I wanted it to be the middle name, as I thought it would be too painful for it to be the first name. But then, she got "stuck" when I was in labor, and my doctor had to call in another doctor to assist. When she walked in the room, my mother and I both did a double take because she looked exactly like Madeline's mother. They could have been twin sisters. And Andy and I were hoping for a girl, and when she was finally born, I turned to him and said, "She has to be Madeline." And so she is. The other funny part of the story is that Madeline was a model (she had just been signed by Ford models and was supposed to be leaving for New York the weekend after she died) and I cannot count the number of people who have told us that our Maddy should model. I always joke that it's the name.

I also love the name Arwen, but Andy told me "No LOTR and no HP names!" flat out, even though he is also a fan. He tells me I am enough of a dork, and Guinevere was as far as he would go. I tried to name Tessie, our cat, Eowyn, but that was also a no-go. So she's named after a song about the Red Sox. I guess I can live with that!

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PeskyPixie - Oct 20, 2007 11:47 am (#2958 of 2984)
Edited Oct 20, 2007 1:01 pm

You guys are so wonderful, taking your husbands' opinions into consideration. I shudder to think what I'll be like when I reach that stage of my life! I'll probably be the one doing the nixing.

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Puck - Oct 20, 2007 1:36 pm (#2959 of 2984)

Meg, what a touching story. I'm sure at least two people on this forum are finding her middle name interesting. I wanted to name my last baby Sharon, after an aunt would had passed away from cancer a couple of months before I found out the baby was on her way. In the end we decided it was too soon, and that my mother would never be able to say my child's name without crying for her sister.

Luke was never allowed into the discussion, as hubby thought people would think us Star wars geeks. (Not that he isn't.)

LOL, Pixie. I rejected things I didn't dislike, just as payback for him rejecting my ideas.

Kathy

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PeskyPixie - Oct 20, 2007 4:30 pm (#2960 of 2984)

It can be hard naming a baby for a loved one who's passed on. I lost my look-alike aunt to cancer almost three years ago and still haven't been able to watch family videos of her, so I completely feel for your mother, Puck. At the same time, megfox, congratulations to you for being brave enough to name your daughter after your best friend.

Guinevere is a lovely name. Its Italian form is Ginevra, is it not? It's pretty either way; this name can do no wrong!

I do like Puck's baby-naming tactics! I recently found out my mom isn't a huge fan of my first name, but let dad choose it so she'd have a free reign on my middle name.

And Solitaire, what about Parvati and Padma if I have twin girls ?

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journeymom - Oct 20, 2007 5:38 pm (#2961 of 2984)

Madeline Guinevere- that's just lovely!

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Solitaire - Oct 20, 2007 6:04 pm (#2962 of 2984)

Pesky, I like Parvati and Padma okay. I also like Lily and Hannah.

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Holly T. - Oct 20, 2007 9:03 pm (#2963 of 2984)

If my son had been a girl he was going to be Madeleine Eleanor.

I am exhausted and just got online to check my e-mail to see if someone had sent me anything saying "make sure you bring this to church in the morning." We're teaching the 3-year-olds in Sunday school tomorrow. Should be interesting.

Off to bed for me!

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geauxtigers - Oct 20, 2007 10:51 pm (#2964 of 2984)

Today, is probably the best day of my life. No lie! Les Miles (LSU head coach) is giving me weekly heart attacks, and I've survived yet another one! LOL That was an amazing game if anyone was watching it!!! I'm so excited, I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight!

To make things even better, we have a new governer, Bobby Jindal won! I'm excited about that too, I wished I could've voted, but it looks like he didn't need my vote! LOL WOOO!

Good luck with the 3 year olds tomorrow, Holly! Sounds like when me and Ginny had to do Pre-school games for VBS. Do you know how hard it is to play orginized games with 3 year olds? We came up with musical dots, musical chairs but with 'happy faces'. It worked okay, but only because we gave them stickers! LOL

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Accio Sirius - Oct 21, 2007 5:03 am (#2965 of 2984)

Megfox, beautiful story, beautiful name. I think you have to meet the person first and then you just know! Our daughter is Emma Margaret, the Margaret in honor of Mr. Sirius' sister. The real kicker, however, was to come home with the new baby to our cat named Emmett! We didn't even consider how similar they were. Emma, Emmett. Now he's just kitty. When our son was born, it was between Brian and Dylan, but hubby ran out of the room and called everyone and told them his name was Brian. He was firmly against Dylan, but it turned out for the best. He was definitely a Brian. Now Mr. Sirius' step sister is pregnant with a boy and she wants Brian as a middle name. We would be very touched by such a tribute!

Keep your fingers crossed. We have a home visit scheduled today because it looks like we will be adopting a dog!! We have had a variety of pets in my adult married life, but never a dog. Hubby is allergic, but he loves our cat and the smaller animals (beta fish, guinea pig, etc.) haven't bother him. But we met this woman fostering an Italian Greyhound named Bella and we just fell in love. She's a big snuggle bunny, odorless, hypoallergenic and rings a bell when she has to go outside!!

The foster mom brought her over last night and she's the perfect size--not too big, really sweet and she just loves my daughter (and vise versa). She loves to sleep with someone and burrows under covers. She's also very athletic, loves to play ball and everything, which is good since Mr. Sirius was concerned she was going to be a toy/purse dog. So, keep your fingers crossed this works out. This is just the kind of thing I think we need in our house! Sorry. Just had to tell someone!!

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Catherine - Oct 21, 2007 5:29 am (#2966 of 2984)

Bella sounds lovely, Laura! I've got my fingers crossed for your family.

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Puck - Oct 21, 2007 7:37 am (#2967 of 2984)

Good luck with the new pup! (And how did you convince hubby? I so want a pup, but Mr. Puck is set against it. He likes dogs, just thinks they are too much work.)

Have fun with the tots, Holly!

In the paper there was a thing about magic in the comics section. It said that wand waving magic where flying snakes emerge from the toilet is imaginary. Really! The Basilisk could not fly and used the sink pipes, not the toilet. Get things straight before you put it in the paper!

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 21, 2007 8:22 am (#2968 of 2984)

Quick kudos to Lexicon staff and members. Thumper may be about but it is so nice to remain civil. Elections are in a couple of weeks, in my town week have a big vote the week before elections. Civility is appreciated on all questions.

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Solitaire - Oct 21, 2007 9:11 am (#2969 of 2984)

Oh, Puck! I am so sorry you can't have a furry baby! I love mine. Dogs are like kids ... some are a lot of work and expense, but others are easy! Do you have a home with a yard? If so, unless you get a dog who likes to dig or chew in a big way, the biggest job would be picking up the tootsie rolls!

If you work with a breed rescue agent (so you can get the breed of dog you like) and get a dog that is 3-4 years old, you will usually get a better temperament match for your household. With a small puppy, you just have to take your chances and hope the line has a good temperament that has been passed down to your pup. Rescue agencies put rescued dogs in foster homes for several weeks or months before they are adopted out, so that they can observe how they behave with kids, other dogs, cats, etc. Most of a dog's "quirks" are known by the time you get him. I hope hubby changes his mind. Perhaps he will when your kids are a bit older???

BTW, congratulations and good luck, Accio!

Solitaire

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Denise P. - Oct 21, 2007 9:25 am (#2970 of 2984)

She did it! Tinsel did it! She is now officially a Canine Good Citizen and can use the CGC title after her name. She started to get antsy during "walk through a crowd" but I circled, got her attention back and she passed.

We had a Pack Camp Out last night, my air mattress got a hole and I think I was laying on a rock patch all night.

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Choices - Oct 21, 2007 9:37 am (#2971 of 2984)

Ah Denise, congratulations to Tinsel - I know she is a wonderful girl. Well done to you both.

And I agree with Soli - adopting a dog from the ASPCA or private rescue organization is so worthwhile. They make wonderful, loving pets and they are so grateful to have a good home. I have had dogs all my life - mostly registered dogs I bought, but in the last few years I have had rescued dogs and will never have any other kind from now on. Next time I will go in and say, "Give me the biggest, ugliest, most unadoptable dog and I will take it home and love it. It breaks my heart to see what some of these animals have endured and they so deserve to be loved and safe and cared for. Their love and devotion to you will pay you back a thousand fold.

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journeymom - Oct 21, 2007 10:04 am (#2972 of 2984)

Congratulations, Tinsel! Good job, Doggie! (And Denise!)

I agree, Choices. Our dog is from a rescue. He fits perfectly in our family.

And didn't JKR just a week ago adopt a grey hound?

Mrs. Sirius, I'm not sure who Thumper is, aside from Bambi's rabbit friend. But, yes, I really appreciate this forum. For example, I gave up on IMDb's forums. You can't have an intelligent conversation there, as they inevitably descend into name-calling and obnoxious behavior.

Have a wonderful day, all of you.

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megfox* - Oct 21, 2007 10:12 am (#2973 of 2984)

Thumper is Bambi's friend, who is famous for saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Sometimes a Host would use a Thumper graphic to remind people to be nice to each other, otherwise known as being "Thumped". I think if you did a search, you might be able to find one of them.

Edit: Denise recently posted Thumper on the Snape thread...

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PeskyPixie - Oct 21, 2007 11:22 am (#2974 of 2984)

I've been searching for Thumper (I just want to see it ... I'm the curious type), but alas, have up to now been unsuccessful ... returning to search some more!

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megfox* - Oct 21, 2007 11:25 am (#2975 of 2984)

If you enter Thumper into the search, the 5th result has a picture. It is also post 230 on Severus Snape.

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PeskyPixie - Oct 21, 2007 11:36 am (#2976 of 2984)

Thanks, just saw him and he's as cute as ever!

My best friend had a rabbit that used to thump through the night (whenever the furnace went on)!

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Puck - Oct 21, 2007 12:15 pm (#2977 of 2984)

Congrats to Tinsel the wonder dog!

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Denise P. - Oct 21, 2007 12:22 pm (#2978 of 2984)

If you can't say nothin' nice, don't say nothin' at all

Thumper made his debut long ago when the forum was still sparkling and squeaky. PrefectMarcus quoted him and I found a picture to use. Since then, Thumper comes out occasionally but after initially getting a workout, Thumper seems to have retired. He rarely comes out to dispense his wisdom since most people already seem to have learned it well.

I just found out one of my email groups made Tinsel their coverdog. The picture was taken yesterday before we went to class, we had been asked to be in costume. The comment is because she is well known for submissive urinating. Don't forget to add the http colon backslash backslash AND take out the spaces to this to see it pets.groups.yahoo.com / group/ RAW-Lighter/

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Loopy Lupin - Oct 21, 2007 12:41 pm (#2979 of 2984)

Hi everybody! Just thought I'd flit in and say "Howdy!"

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PeskyPixie - Oct 21, 2007 12:46 pm (#2980 of 2984)

Loopy Lupin, I love your avatar (just get me started on the origin of the term 'avatar' and I'll be off on another tangent ... I do ramble so!).

Anywho, this is definitely one of my favourite Bart moments!

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The giant squid - Oct 21, 2007 1:10 pm (#2981 of 2984)

Loopy! Good to see Your Flitness.

My name is latin for 'the winner', so no matter what, I'll always be the winner!—geauxtigers

I see your “winner” and raise you another. My name means "one who is like God."

Congrats to Tinsel. Looks like even the furry kids can surprise their parents sometimes.

Yes, I realize that only dirt is older than I am.--Kip Carter

Kip, I can picture you on the porch in full-on curmudgeon mode: "Why you whippersnappers! When I was your age we didn't even have dirt. We had boulders, and we liked 'em!"

--Mike

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journeymom - Oct 21, 2007 1:47 pm (#2982 of 2984)

Ha! Figures that Thumper was invoked on the Snape thread.

Tinsel is looking cuter than ever.

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Loopy Lupin - Oct 21, 2007 3:31 pm (#2983 of 2984)

Loopy! Good to see Your Flitness.—Mike

Yes, for some reason, I'm feeling quite flitty at the moment.

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Kip Carter - Oct 21, 2007 4:41 pm (#2984 of 2984)

This thread has reached its maximum number of posts. A new # Chat and Greeting Thread for Members is now available for discussions. Enjoy!

Chat & Greetings 16

Kip Carter - Oct 21, 2007 4:39 pm
Edited Jul 20, 2008 4:33 am

This thread is established for each of you so inclined to chat on the main discussion threads. With this thread, I hope that all chat-type posts will no longer disrupt the other threads.

Please Read the Following Four Paragraphs


The four paragraphs below were initially part of the initial post to start the thread that began July 27, 2006; however I have also included them at the beginning of this new chat thread for those who visit this thread for the first time or for those who failed to read this when it was initially posted. - Kip

A lot has changed since this series of threads began. This thread has cemented numerous friendships and has fostered my belief that we are a true, loving, and interesting Forum Family. I read every post on this thread because I feel it conveys really what is happening in our Harry Potter World and it provides priceless information as to where we are heading and what is really important to our Forum Family.

Being that we have new members coming on board on a regular basis, modifications of some of our guidelines are necessary. Remember we have a worldwide membership from many different cultures and backgrounds, many of whom English (whether it is American, the Queen's, or other variants from around the world) is not their primary, or even secondary, language. Often in our friendly chats, words or abbreviations are used that many have no idea of their meanings. Some of us enjoy being a sleuth and searching to figure out what is the true definitions of what is posted; however many are turned off and skip the post or even quit reading the thread altogether.

I am sure that many of you know what I am relating. On 11 July 2006 I established a thread, # Controversy Originating from "Tell About Yourself" Posts, which later opened up a discussion on abbreviations with the fourth part of Vulture's Jul 15, 2006 9:02 am message. I strongly suggest that you read and understand what is produced in this thread.

The thread, ** Commonly Used Abbreviations for the Lexicon Forums, is reviewed often and sometimes modified; therefore I suggest you read it as well. Check back often to see how the updates affect you. I do not want any guidelines to destroy the family atmosphere; however I also do not want the use of unknowns to keep those away from enjoying our comradery. Our Hosts can only do so much and we leave the rest up to you as Participants. Always remember you can use the thirty minutes following your post to edit the content. Try to consider how your post appears to others.

This is the sixteenth thread provided for chat-type posts since September 25, 2003.
The first -- Chat and Greeting Thread (25 Sep 03 to 26 Feb 04) had 2752 messages before it was closed out February 26, 2004.
The second -- Chat and Greeting Thread (25 Feb 04 to 15 Jun 04) had 2912 messages before it was closed out June 15, 2004.
The third -- Chat and Greeting Thread (15 Jun 04 to 2 Sep 04) had 2954 when closed out September 2, 2004.
The fourth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (2 Sep 04 to 30 Nov 04) had 2977 when closed out November 30, 2004.
The fifth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (1 Dec 04 to 14 Mar 05) had 2956 when closed down March 14, 2005.
The sixth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (15 Mar 05 to 6 Jun 05) had 2981 when closed down June 6, 2005.
The seventh -- Chat and Greeting Thread (6 Jun 05 to 31 Aug 05) had 2967 when closed down August 31, 2005.
The eighth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (31 Aug 05 to 12 Jan 06) had 2980 when closed down January 12, 2006.
The ninth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (12 Jan 06 to 12 May 06) had 2983 when closed down May 12, 2006.
The tenth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (12 May 06 to 27 Jul 06) had 2979 when closed down July 27, 2006.
The eleventh -- Chat and Greeting Thread (27 Jul 06 to 6 Oct 06) had 2976 when closed down October 6, 2006.
The twelfth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (6 Oct 06 to 3 Jan 07) had 2989 when closed down January 3, 2007.
The thirteenth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (3 Jan 07 to 1 Apr 07) had 2990 when closed down April 1, 2007.
The fourteenth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (1 Apr 07 to 5 Jul 07) had 2988 when closed down July 5, 2007.
The fifteenth -- Chat and Greeting Thread (5 Jul 07 to 21 Oct 07) had 2984 when closed down October 21, 2007.
Eventually the fifteenth thread will join the first fourteen threads in the = Archived Discussion Between Members Group Folder!

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Eponine - Oct 21, 2007 4:52 pm (#1 of 2988)

New chat thread!

How is everyone?

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Tazzygirl - Oct 21, 2007 5:06 pm (#2 of 2988)

OOOh! I wanna be number 2!!

I'm currently enjoying the lovely smell of some sort of dead rodent. (I hope you all can tell I'm being super sarcastic! ) I can't find it, I think it's in the walls of my bathroom, as that is where the smell is the worst... It's slowly making it's way into the other areas of my studio... Anyone have any ideas to curb the smell for the next week??? (I thought I had gotten lucky when I set poison out for the little buggers. Months go by, and no smell. Darn.)

I might be finding other places to hang out this week to do homework. Maybe I can spend the night at a friend's house too. ick.

~Kristina

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Loopy Lupin - Oct 21, 2007 5:18 pm (#3 of 2988)

Number 3 is ok to be too.

(And, Mike, I'm still feeling quite flitty. )

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 21, 2007 7:04 pm (#4 of 2988)

I have been playing catch-up with the posts. A few days ago, Sheila, I read your Post # 2838 and though I think it's not deserved, thank you and ((hugs)) for such a lovely sentiment. You are so sweet! I think it is the great example set by those here and the kind people I'm blessed to be surrounded by. It has been a bumpy road the last couple of weeks and it looks as though things will get harder before they get better, so it was nice to see your post and yours, kay. Thanks a bunch.

Back to the real me:

Don't worry, Kip, you're not older than . . . . . . dinosaur bones. (Well, you didn't think I'd let that one go by, did you? **evilgrin**)

Mike, FWIW, your name means “who is like God?” not 'one who is like God'. My brother's name is Michael.

Kristina, you would have to locate the furry creature and remove it. That or time will take care of it. PS, be on the lookout for maggots. Not trying to gross you out - just letting you know the order of things. Anti dung-bomb charms!

Welcome back, Loopy!

Madam Pince, I tried your recipe with the pork chops tonight and they were a hit! We all enjoyed them. Thanks for that!

Congrats to Tinsel!

I know I've missed a lot but I've got a lot of catching up to do. Healing charms and reparo charms where needed.

Maria

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Steve Newton - Oct 21, 2007 7:21 pm (#5 of 2988)

I've not been around much lately and just wanted to say, "Hi!"

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Lupin is Lupin. Natch. - Oct 21, 2007 7:37 pm (#6 of 2988)

The comment is because she is well known for submissive urinating.---Denise P.

I hate it when that happens.

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painting sheila - Oct 21, 2007 7:38 pm (#7 of 2988)

6 - 6! is a good number!

HH - I hope things are okay i n your neck of the woods. I do not mean to pry - but if you need to unload I'm here for you.

Tense weekend at our house. Lovely Daughter wanted to go to the State Fair with a couple of friends that we are okay with. All (daughter included) are good girls that make good choices. The plans changed and the two original friends could not go so daughter wanted to go with other friends. One of which was the young lady that used to live with us - and the rest were strangers. In light of recent choices by the young lady that used to live with us - skipping school, forging notes - we think she may not be the best of people to have as an influence on our Lovely Daughter, so, we said no. This was construed as "mom said no" not "Mom and Dad said no" so I have been the bad guy all weekend. I hate it when that happens. (sigh)It has been very quiet at our house with Lovely Daughter only talking to hubby. (sigh again) Maybe tomorrow will be better . . . ?

There was an upside though! Since Oldest Son buzzed his hair AND got his braces off, his head shots didn't look like him any more. (This REALLY makes casting directors upset) so we took advantage of our favorite photographer being in town and had some pictures made. They are so cute!! He is smiling and everything!. . . . .gee. I wish I could show one to you. . . . .in an avatar or something.

Kip - please know that I am kidding and it is just my embarrassment at my current avatar that keeps me pushing that button. I will stop now. I promise.

She

Edit: 7 . . .7 is a good number!

Edit #2: Okay. I will be the dumb one. What is submissive urinating?

Edit #3: Kip, I can picture you on the porch in full-on curmudgeon mode: "Why you whippersnappers! When I was your age we didn't even have dirt. We had boulders, and we liked 'em!"   Squid Mike - You crack me up!

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Denise P. - Oct 21, 2007 8:19 pm (#8 of 2988)

Submissive dogs (and other animals) pee as a sign of submission to dominant animals. Tinsel is a submissive pee-er. It is an involuntary thing she does when she is excited, upset or unsure. When we say hello and make her too happy ....puddle. If she is near by when one of the kids yells....puddle. If she is unsure about sometime, she will roll over and ...puddle. A lot of it is also an age thing. She is better about it but we also take pains to not look at her when we first let her out in the morning, don't say hello to her for about 10 minutes after we get home, ignore her totally when we get her from the groomer, just take the leash and not say anything...that kind of thing. It is a very common thing in young puppies and very submissive dogs. Tinsel is not only a puppy, she is submissive so we have a double dose. We hope she will outgrow it although she will always be likely to do it if she feels specifically threatened.

This is also why her passing her CGC is a major issue. Dogs are disqualified if they foul the course, for any reason. "Being petted by a polite stranger" is one test and one where we usually get a puddle. All you ever wanted to know about it LOL

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kaykay1970 - Oct 21, 2007 9:32 pm (#9 of 2988)

My kids had so much fun tonight! They got to play spooks on the haunted trail fundraiser for the high school. They needed my 10 year old to play Samara from The Ring. She would sit inside her little well and climb out and scare the tar out of people. She had a blast!

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Mrs. Sirius - Oct 21, 2007 10:57 pm (#10 of 2988)

When I was your age we didn't even have dirt. We had boulders, and we liked 'em!"

--Mike

And we rolled them up hill, both ways..in the rain...and the snow. LOL Mike, that made my night.

Elections are in a couple of weeks, in my town week have a big vote the week before elections.

My apologies for the nearly incoherent post. It should have read "in my town we have a big vote before elections." While in Connecticut we don't have the salt water leaching problems that Rhode island to out east, Long Island to our south and Massachusetts to our north have, the current town government wants us to vote on a town sewer proposal that will send our water waste to the next big town. This will lower the water in our water table and invite that previously unknown problem to our area.

ohh, we have fleas! Our cute little 2 1/2 month old kitten, who has never been out of this house has fleas! yuck. How she got them, I don't know. She must have brought them with her. Of course she sleeps in my daughter's bed, under the covers with her.

Congratulations to Tinsel, sorry about her incontinence. Every morning I take my neighbor's dogs for a walk. On the way we stop at another neighbor's, whose dog who is sooo submissive I don't understand how she manages to not involuntarily urinate.

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Tazzygirl - Oct 22, 2007 1:20 am (#11 of 2988)

I walked in from work tonight expecting a worse smell than earlier, but it seems somewhat the same. Thanks for the advice, Maria. I'd remove the little furry mess, but I can't get to him (or exactly know where he is. Old house means lots of nooks and cranies. ). I bought a bunch of industrial strength air freshener. So far so good!

Off to watch Desperate Housewives before falling asleep. Oh- my mentor teacher won't be in school tomorrow (or today, depending on what time zone you are in. LOL) or Tuesday, she's getting a substitute, but told me that I am to run things. Since I am not a full-fledged teacher yet, I can't be teaching a class without some sort of professional in there. Oh well. Still excited!

Have a good week everyone!

~Kristina

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Puck - Oct 22, 2007 3:57 am (#12 of 2988)

IS that a new rule? I -and plenty of my friends- taught while our mentor teachers were out during student teaching.

Tazzy, removing part of the wall would be necessary to remove the creature, most likely. And you may want to consider it, for reasons Maria stated.

Kathy

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HungarianHorntail11 - Oct 22, 2007 4:14 am (#13 of 2988)

Just checking in for my dose of sanity.

Returned a short while ago from dropping Olivia off at school. Hubby is working early hours this week because of a longer-distance job.

Hi Steve!

SPEW, Denise! (Uh oh, another mess to clean up.)

Thanks She! Not prying, but I'm not going to bore anyone with details until I see what we're up against.

Cheering charms to Sheila's oldest daughter. FWIW, I'm always the bad guy.

kaykay, that sounds like a lot of fun!

Happy Monday everyone!

Maria

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painting sheila - Oct 22, 2007 4:51 am (#14 of 2988)

Good morning everyone!

Not much happening here today - or at least I can't think of anything that is happening. (that could mean a lot more is happening when I realize what I have forgotten and scurry around trying to make up for lost time)

Tazzy - Could you call your landlord? I would think that having a dead animal in your wall can not be healthy! Eww! Free Smiley Face Courtesy of www.FreeSmileys.org

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Marie E. - Oct 22, 2007 5:25 am (#15 of 2988)

Just peeking in to say Hi and look at the spanking new thread. My director is in Vegas (Hi Mike!) until Thursday so I will be completely in charge. I've had nightmares already about all the things that could go wrong.

We got our first snow yesterday, about three inches. None of it stuck to the roads, so I have to break it to the girls that there's no snow day for them. It is cold, of course, so they will be allowed to go straight into school without waiting for the bells to ring.

Have a lovely week everyone!

Congratulations to Tinsel!

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The giant squid - Oct 22, 2007 6:24 am (#16 of 2988)

Mike, FWIW, your name means “who is like God?” not 'one who is like God'.--HungarianHorntail11

But...that's not a meaning, it's a question. I always thought it was in reference to the archangel Michael's status-highest rank, close to God, etc.

That's why I don't worry too much about name meanings: there are at least 3 different ones for each name, and they rarely have any influence on the kids. I'm sure Marie will agree that I'm far from godly most of the time.

Loopy: Now I'm picturing you in a black wig dancing around the house singing "I feel flitty...oh so flitty...I feel flitty and witty and bright!"

--Mike

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Solitaire - Oct 22, 2007 6:47 am (#17 of 2988)

Kim, is that a Maine Coon cat? Just wondering ... I remember there was a discussion about them some months ago, and I thought you had or were getting one.

Puck, even when the student teacher is fabulous and has been in the classroom for months, it is the law that a teacher with a full credential (or at least a provisional) be present. I know it sounds stupid, especially when the student teacher may be more competent than the sub.

I think we need some raining charms on George and the areas burning in CA. I just heard from my mom that Ramona, CA, had been wiped out by a fire. Does anyone living near San Diego have details on this? I know our field trip to UCSB and the Santa Barbara mission, scheduled for today, has been cancelled, due to fires in that area. My principal called me at 6:30, just as I was getting ready to leave.

Aguamenti! I think that's the right one!

Solitaire

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journeymom - Oct 22, 2007 7:58 am (#18 of 2988)

Hey, Solitaire, our Governator* declared a state of emergency for five counties.


*Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Terminator

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Lupin is Lupin. Natch. - Oct 22, 2007 8:20 am (#19 of 2988)

Solitaire, that is a picture of our first cat who passed away at about a year and a half. We got her from a shelter but yes, she was definitely part Maine Coon. That's why we were determined to get a Maine Coon when we went looking for new kitties. She had such a wonderful personality. Now we have *cough*three*cough* kittens who are quite lovely but in all honestly aren't a patch on our Sally. However, the biggest one (and he is quite enormous) plays fetch. Lives to play fetch. Cries if we won't play fetch. And who will, if he can't find one of his balls, go up to our daughter's bed and steal one of her small stuffed animals and bring that down for us to throw. There's no end to the cuteness when an enormous cat comes walking into the room with a wee stuffed horse in it's mouth. (Our daughter has taken to putting the little stuffed toys in her pillowcase to keep them safe. )

But they all have very laid back personalities and are very people oriented. I hadn't realized World Crossing had made us all premium members until a few weeks ago and I was quite startled to see Sally pop up on the screen. I should update the photo with our new kitties but I'm not very motivated to take her down.

Last week we went on a hike with our homeschooling group and one very organized mother filled her pockets, and our hands, with birdseed. All the children enjoyed the thrill of black-capped chickadees landing on and eating out of their hands. What a treat!

I was inordinately proud when everyone else blindly walked past a beaver lodge (it does look just like a mass of sticks) but my son, who's very nature-driven, said casually to me as he passed it, "Nice beaver lodge, eh Mom?" He later correctly identified a cork tree and heard and located a mouse peeking out at us from under a log. I admit, I would have kept walking if he hadn't told me to stop and listen for a rustle. I have no idea how he heard it.

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Loopy Lupin - Oct 22, 2007 8:26 am (#20 of 2988)

Loopy: Now I'm picturing you in a black wig dancing around the house singing "I feel flitty...oh so flitty...I feel flitty and witty and bright!" – Mike

Actually, I did that just this morning before work, except my wig is long and white, not black. Black is apparently Bart's wig choice.

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Puck - Oct 22, 2007 8:40 am (#21 of 2988)

Actually, Kim, at the present you're not allowed to change photos anyway.

I got an offer for a kitty today. Male, about a year old. Has had all his shots, and they will neuter him if I wish. He's friendly and playful, but not into marking territory. The woman's son moved back home and brought his cat. His mom is allergic and can't keep it in her house, so he needs a new home. I will talk to hubby tonight. Diva is really missing having a pet to cuddle. (The kitty we have is old and barely allows me to touch her. The kids barely know they have a pet.) He's not going to do the puppy thing, but perhaps I can convince him this kitty needs to come home. The woman has said she'll arrange a visit, but if I visit, I'll want it.

Kim, you have a bright and observant child.

Solitaire, either our laws are different or the schools where my friends and I did our student teaching didn't follow them.

What's FWIW mean?

Kathy

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Denise P. - Oct 22, 2007 9:02 am (#22 of 2988)

FWIW = For What It's Worth

Way to go Amazon. Mr. Denise ordered me the box set of all 7 books as a Christmas present. I know this, I am the one who pointed it out. It was just delivered. I also know that Mr. Denise opted for gift wrap only because that is his way. So, how does this item, which is gift wrapped so marked as a gift, arrive? In a huge box that says on two sides, in HP font "HARRY POTTER BOX SET 1-7 National On Sale Date October 16, 2007 Do not display before October 16, 2007" Nice....I think Mr. Denise should write back to amazon and complain and ask for a refund of the gift wrap price.

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Holly T. - Oct 22, 2007 9:20 am (#23 of 2988)

*picturing Loopy in a Lucius Malfoy wig*

Congrats to Tinsel! Our now-deceased much beloved kitty, Tasha, did the submissive peeing thing. Everything scared her.

Hugs to Maria and the HH's!

Yesterday the high here was 91. Today the high is supposed to be maybe 60. I know those of you Up North consider that balmy, but here we are cold. And wet, as it is raining again.

Journeymom and Solitaire (and anyone else in southern California) hope you are out of the way of the fires.

~~~sending you some of our rain~~~~

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painting sheila - Oct 22, 2007 9:23 am (#24 of 2988)

Hi everyone!

Lupin is Lupin. Natch. - What an observant son you have. I would love to go on a hike with him. Just imagine all the things we miss because we aren't looking. How in the world did he hear the mouse?!

I went and worked out this morning - YEAH! I am starting on my third week. I haven't lost any weight - but I do feel better.

I realized the bathroom tiles I painted didn't turn out the way I had hoped. The paint just scratches off with out the slightest bit of effort. I am going to scratch/peel the rest of the paint off and see if I can't sand down the finish just a bit before I prime and paint again. The kids bathroom still has a big plastic bag covering the hole. Jeez!! and I still have a hole in my ceiling.

Not much else is going on . . . but I do want to say . . SNOW!! Holy cow!! It's 81 here today and the temperature is supposed to go up by the end of the week.

I do hope everyone is safe in California. Is this normal for tis time of the year or are you having more fires than usual?

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Denise P. - Oct 22, 2007 11:20 am (#25 of 2988)

Sheila, this is good to know regarding the tiles. The house we moved into has 3 white tiled showers. I was considering painting accent tiles in each bathroom but now I may not.

How weird, I called the Boy Scout shop to see if they had the plastic rank holder that buttons to the pocket. They told me it was not an official BSA item. The Scout Shop in TN carried so I always thought it was. No matter, I just ordered one off ebay. Now I am looking to find 2 leather Tiger belt totems from 1998. I know where Ryan's is but I want to replace the one Nicholas had (and lost) I had to do some serious hunting to even find a picture of one since they were only used for a few years.

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Puck - Oct 22, 2007 11:45 am (#26 of 2988)

wOOt to Sheila! Going to the gym becomes addicting. I'm going to have to change Toddler's swim lesson time, as my favorite kickbox class is moving time slots, and will soon conflict with swimming. *sigh* It was all working out so perfectly, too. (Toddlers swim class started 30 minutes after my class ended, giving me time to stretch and change before picking her up from the playroom.)

Why do I never seem to get all done that I mean to do during her nap? Perhaps because I keep checking the forum.  

Kathy

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PeskyPixie - Oct 22, 2007 11:50 am (#27 of 2988)

An alpha male grey squirrel lives in our backyard. This species is not supposed to be territorial or aggressive, but this one is! He's been in a temper these past few days, chasing away anything that moves within his territory. Honestly, if this continues much longer we'll have to hose him down (that usually cools him off).

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Caius Iulius - Oct 22, 2007 11:58 am (#28 of 2988)

Just stopping by to say hello. I have been busy working and training to become a dive master. Haven't forgotten you all though!

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Madam Pince - Oct 22, 2007 1:04 pm (#29 of 2988)

Sheesh! Go away for a couple of days and get away from the news media, and then come back to find The Great Dumbledore Kerfluffle and also apparently California is on fire! Hope any and all Forum-members living nearby are staying safe!

We had a great weekend -- the leaves were absolutely magnificent! I really didn't expect much due to the dry summer, but I think they were the prettiest I have ever seen them, and between you and me, that's saying something. Gorgeous weather, too, for almost the entire trip. It was very nice and relaxing. The only thing marring it was that on our return trip we passed by a motorcycle accident with a fatality, which is always sad and serves to reinforce my resolve to never ride on one of those things.

Denise, I can't believe how much Tinsel has grown! She sure doesn't look like the roly-poly little puppy that I remember! Congratulations on her CGC award! (By the way, how did you end up with a free tool-kit for Mr. Denise? The dryer-repairman isn't running around tool-less, is he? )

Maria, glad you enjoyed the pork chops! We made those this past weekend at my Mom's also! Always a favorite for us...

OK, now that I've caught up on my threads, it's time to go to the bus-stop... Everyone enjoy the RotD! (***Waves*** at Finn and fellow Agatha Christie fans on another thread...)

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Denise P. - Oct 22, 2007 1:47 pm (#30 of 2988)

Madam P, I belong to a site that lists deals every day. This deal was a 31 piece set for $10 and if you used google check out for the first time, it was $10 off. There was a Tivo deal last week that made a $30 profit. You can see them at refundcents.com, they list a lot of free stuff.

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Madam Pince - Oct 22, 2007 2:30 pm (#31 of 2988)

I have often wondered how you stretch a dollar with the large family you have -- now I know! LOL! Thanks for the tip and I will check it out! (Glad to know the repairman escaped unscathed.)

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John Bumbledore - Oct 22, 2007 2:42 pm (#32 of 2988)

Soli, if it isn't fire, it would be mud slides, yes?

She, I am beginning to think we should start welcoming visitors by saying, "Welcome to the New Desert Southeast in North Carolina (Alternate text: link to US Drought Monitor hosted at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html ), opening soon; unless..."
**stopping there so I don't tread into Taboo topic**

Kind of reminds me of the Lorax and the Once-ler. (Alternate text: link to wikipedia entry for Dr. Seuss's The Lorax is en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lorax )
I checked and think both links would be "Thumper Approved" as family friendly content.

I shake my head at the simple minded "water-saving" practices/tips that our local newspaper has published. Some suggest re-plumbing your bath tub/shower and kitchen sink to capture this water for reuse in irrigation of shrubs, potted plants, and flower beds. The simple-minded comment was "With the two of us taking daily showers, we are able to catch 30 gallons (114 liters) a day … to give all our shrubs, azaleas and our outdoor plants water every single day." [Emphasis is mine] That is a Ghastly waste of water! I have not seen any mention of sponge or sink baths nor of practicing Navy showers (Water on and immediately get wet. Water off while soaping and scrubbing. Water on for a quick rinse.)

I hold my head high since we have been conserving water since 2000. So, it was with sardonic humor that I was going to write in a "prank" suggestion that our latest conservation effort was that the boys in our house would follow the dog's example and pee in the yard, thus saving 1.5 gallons for each eliminated flush. DW was encouraging (though I think this was sarcasm).

Maybe I should write in to tell the News and Observer how unobservant they were not to see the wastefulness of the 15 gallons per shower. I've placed closed water bottles in our toilette (commode) tanks to reduce flushes by a full liter; our family uses Navy showers and low flow shower heads, so 30 gallons is nearly enough for all six family member to have a daily shower; we don't bother to irrigate the lawn or shrubs; they are drought tolerant; and we use left over water from drinking glasses and the dog's water bowl to water the few potted plants and flower beds we have. The grass hasn't grown much, so I have also used much less gasoline in my push mower. With four children in the house, using the left over drinking water for plans has both kept the potted plants alive and reduced the number of spills.

the plastic rank holder that buttons to the pocket…

Funny, maybe it was all in the name? Or the recall:

The "Cub Scout Immediate Recognition Kit" (i.e. Cub Scouts Totem Badges) is subject of a safety recall for lead in the paint. (I spotted it at www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/info.aspx?page=cskit ) I have one but I will not sell it to you. It isn't buttoned on a pocket at the moment, we are still debating what risk it might pose. Our scout doesn't stick it in his mouth or have much contact with it.

US Consumer Product Safty Commision Link: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08018.html

The general impression I get for the leaders and parents of scouts is one of a low perceived risk.
**start count down to see how long it takes Chemyst to respond.**

John Bumbledore <)B^D˜

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Denise P. - Oct 22, 2007 3:02 pm (#33 of 2988)

Not the same thing. The rank holder is clear plastic and goes on the pocket under the World Scouting Symbol....where rank would be sewn. Cub Scout Immediate Recognition goes on the opposite pocket and is only worn as a Wolf and Bear.

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dizzy lizzy - Oct 22, 2007 3:40 pm (#34 of 2988)

Hi Everyone! It has been a while since I posted...

I'm currently sitting at my computer printing out songbooks for our community. For those who are new...I live in a religious community and given the guidelines of the forum...enough said...

I bought a duplexing Laser Printer a couple of weeks ago when I went to Launceston. I have finally managed to format the different sections of the book. It wasn't easy and I really do not like trying to reformat headers with page numbers. I have Windows Vista and the new version of word likes to get creative and won't listen to you sometimes lol.

We are printing 30 books to cope with the expanded numbers in our community and I am soooo glad this printer does back to back copying (duplexing).

I have 7000 sheets of paper next to my desk, I'll use about 1500-2000 sheets on the songbooks, 30 folders and 1500 plastic sleeves.

One thing I have learnt about living in a community, is everything you do is in large quantities. And it is very orgainsed. There is a roster for nearly everything related to cooking, cleaning and laundry. Something I am sure Denise (and those with large families) would be very familiar with.

My mother visited last week and we had a very pleasant time and played tourist. We did get to see some Tazzy Devils up at Cradle Mountain and when the ban on Avatars is lifted I will place a cute little critter on my Avatar to replace the current cute little critter!

I'm going into Burnie in about 40 mins to have a Hearing Test (I'm sure I've lost more hearing) and to have my hearing aids recalibrated for the 3rd time in a year. I'm sure the little computer chip inside them is losing the settings.

A cheery wave to everyone

Lizzy

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Chemyst - Oct 22, 2007 5:30 pm (#35 of 2988)

Extra, (although probably unnecessary) Competency Charms for Tazzy! Sometimes well-intentioned rules do turn out to be silly in practice, don't they? We had such a substitute teacher shortage around here last year that they were taking anyone with as little as two years of college who could pass a background check and a one-day training course. I briefly considered applying but classroom cop really isn't for me. In the end I followed in Herm oh ninny's footsteps and started tutoring at a Learning Center. It has been fun and I was already familiar with some of the curriculum from home schooling.

Denise, if you don't like the all-white tiles, they do make tile decals. If the tiles are scrupulously free from soap scum when applied and you don’t use abrasives in cleaning, then they should last about three years.

The general impression I get for the leaders and parents of scouts is one of a low perceived risk.
**start count down to see how long it takes Chemyst to respond.**

Ah, John, the scouting-related story I came across today was much more exciting! You can find it at ExtremePumpkins.com   It seems some boy scout, (and I highly doubt this was an official activity,) discovered that by soaking a roll of toilet paper in kerosene, placing it at the bottom of a large carved pumpkin, and lighting it carefully with one of those long barbeque lighters, you can send 3-foot flames out of old Jack O'Lantern's brain for a half hour. They have some really amazing pumpkin carvings on that site and the site itself is family friendly (that is, if you consider puking pumpkins friendly) but a note of caution: they do have links off another page (not the picture link) that I decided not to check out because they were labeled for adults. I'm old enough to know I'll never be that old.

 **waves to Lizzy** I hope your hearing test goes well.

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Denise P. - Oct 22, 2007 5:46 pm (#36 of 2988)

I will have you know that my Tigers requested that puking pumpkin at our campout. It won first place as most original!

My kids all want to do that one as well, they find it hysterically funny.

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Holly T. - Oct 22, 2007 6:58 pm (#37 of 2988)

Hi Lizzy!

Son and I have been cracking up over the extreme pumpkins. In the contest winners for 2006 there is--yes!--a giant squid pumpkin.

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megfox* - Oct 22, 2007 7:11 pm (#38 of 2988)

I love puking pumpkins. When I was in college, I was friends with bunch of guys from Keene, NH, where they have Pumpkin Festival every October (they hold the Guinness Record for most jack-o-lanterns - I think they still do anyway). The last time I went, there were a bunch of pumpkins carved by a "fraternity" house from Keene State College, and let's just say that, I love puking pumpkins.

I just got home from seeing Ken Burns speaking at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH. For those of you who don't know, Ken Burns is a very famous historical documentary filmmaker. He is most famous for his 11 1/2 hour documentary on the American Civil War, and has also chronicled Baseball, Jazz, and other quintessentially American topics. He just finished a new documentary on World War II, and he was speaking about it tonight. It was just incredible. He is one of the people that I really look up to in the field of History, and my friend at school invited me to go with her (she thought her husband would be terribly bored). We had front row seats off to the side, so no craning necks, just a straight shot and room to stretch our legs. He was fabulous. He speaks so melodically (is that a word - it looks weird) and with such passion and I just want to go out and start working on a ridiculously difficult research project so that I can feel accomplished. He shared some startling statistics (well, for a History teacher). The first is that we lose one thousand WWII veterans every day, and so it is incredibly important for historians to speak with them and let them share their stories before they are all gone. The second, and this was embarrassing, is that a high percentage (he didn't give an exact number, but said that it was staggering enough) of high school seniors in America think that we fought with the Germans, against the Russians, in World War II. Yikes.

Thanks for that very cool link, John, about the drought. I might actually use that map on a test soon.

Kristina, do you eventually get to sub? At my school, they basically will take you if you have a pulse and a Driver's license (after you pay the state $75 to get fingerprinted, of course). My intern (same thing as what you are doing) could sub starting November 1st if both her uni sup and I agreed that she was ready. No matter, good luck and remember, it is all good practice!

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Tazzygirl - Oct 22, 2007 7:15 pm (#39 of 2988)

Puck: Tazzy, removing part of the wall would be necessary to remove the creature, most likely. And you may want to consider it, for reasons Maria stated.

I was trying to forget about that part. LOL On the student teaching bit- yeah, it kind of stinks. Although today when I went in I pretty much ran the show. The substitute was paid to just sit there.

She: Could you call your landlord?

That would be my aunt and uncle. They kind of slack on the landlord department (I've been the one to change/fix various things in my apartment. Uncle isn't a fix-it guy, and Aunt is just there...) I've been waiting for a new air conditioner for about a year now. And new carpet. I did tell them about the smell, and they came down to take a look, but when they couldn't find anything, they said 'oh well.'

I so overslept this morning! My alarm went off at 5:45- I evidently turned it off and fell completely back to sleep until 7 am. I was supposed to have left the house by at the most 6:30... Needless to say, I arrived at school right when the bell rang, so I didn't miss anything. I've NEVER overslept before. Hope to never ever do it again!

Thanks, Chemyst, on the charms! The day went really well- kids literally were looking at me as the head teacher. The substitute was really okay with it- she was probably about my age. A couple regular teachers at the school kept popping in thinking I was having a solo teaching day.

**waves frantically at Lizzy** HI!!!

Off to mail two packages, pick up a pumpkin or two (I just realized Halloween is around the corner and I have no decorations up! ), and possibly some dinner.

Oh- Denise- did you get Maus yet? If you didn't, I can get it from work and mail it to you if you want. I don't know how much it is, but let me know.

I've been hearing about the fires in California from my parents. **water charms** and **anti-Santa Ana wind** charms going out!

~Kristina

EDIT: Meg- I think the requirements are a little different here. I haven't heard of sub-ing at this level. I am taking like fifty different teacher tests in November and January for my licensure (okay, okay, I'm only taking 5. :sillygin:), so I think when I get those done, I qualify. I don't know. I probably won't be sub-ing at all once I get out of school- since I've got the special education tag, I'll pretty much be hired at the mass recruiting event sometime during the summer.

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kabloink! - Oct 22, 2007 7:29 pm (#40 of 2988)

Hmmm, names and Star Wars...I have already told my husband that if by some twist of fate we end up with fraternal twins, Luke and Leia will be in their names somehow. Probably something like Lucas Joseph and Alexis Leia (or Leia Alexis). We have mentioned it to hubby's sister-in-law and her jaw dropped and she said something like "you wouldn't do that." Well, the sad fact is that we would. Later in that same conversation, same sister-in-law was trying to kindly convince me that I was not a geek, like its a bad thing. Geesh! For our first date hubby and I went to see Star Wars Episode I, and we have not missed a midnight release together since (granted, there were only 2 more...) We love Star Wars, and the truth is, we do like the names, if they were names that we didn't like to begin with, we would never think about it.

Accio Sirius, going back to post 2964, my hubby says that you probably just don't remember giving him the OK on Brian. Hubby said it not me!

Wow! Congrats to Tinsel (and Denise!).

Tazzy, that was the case in Michigan. Student teachers were often able to obtain their temporary permit to substitute, though. It wasn't encouraged, though. Why I'm not sure-I'm sure the student teacher is far more capable of maintaining order in a classroom than a sub who very likely has only a 90 credit hours (what's required in most districts in Michigan) and has taken a one-day training course. I always looked forward to subbing for teachers with student teachers. I got to do a lot of reading on those days...

Soli, hubby’was searching all over tonight for QB1 for Monday Night Football, but nobody seems to have it (remember, we're still pretty new to our area, we only know of one location for this for sure). Turns out it was cancelled tonight because the Buzztime Trivia (formerly NTN) Headquarters is in Malibu, and with the fires they cancelled it. Now I don't feel so bad about discouraging him from going...bad wifey.

Our submissive kitty just hides in our bedroom closet upstairs if anyone comes over. Perhaps she is not really submissive, but just very VERY anti-social. She is such a scaredy cat. Makes me miss our old cat, Austin, who would come out to meet everyone who came over.

Puck, my weakness is Civilization II during nap time. Its always so easy to sit down-just for a minute, and end up spending all 2 hours playing...

We took Ian to a pumpkin patch and apple orchard yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We went with hubby's parents and sister and her family. Devyn, our 8-year-old niece, is quite the helper with the baby when she wants to be. Ian couldn't get enough of the pumpkins. It was so cute. I have some good pics, but I haven't posted them yet. I should have them up by Thursday, if anyone wants to check my myspace. Okay, off to acutally pay attention to my Civ game...

Have a great ROTD/N everyone!

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kaykay1970 - Oct 22, 2007 9:42 pm (#41 of 2988)

Prayers to those in California affected by the fires! I wish I could send ya'll some of our rain. It's been going strong all day and is supposed to continue through the week. It looks like Spring here. The trees shed their leaves during the summer because it was so dry, now they are growing back just at the time when they should be falling away!

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dizzy lizzy - Oct 22, 2007 9:56 pm (#42 of 2988)

*Waves to Chemyst and Tazzy*

I just came back from my hearing test. I have lost about 10 decibels of hearing right across all frequencies over the past 2 years. This means I can't hear, unaided, anything below 75-80 decibels across all frequencies. No wonder my hearing aids sounded kind of dead.

So I'm now on the border of Severe Hearing loss. The audiometrist re programmed my hearing aids and they now "sound" much more normal. If the hearing loss keeps going at this speed, I'll have to invest in sign language courses LOL.

Still printing songbook pages and nearly onto my 3rd ream of paper!!!!

* *waves to everyone**

Lizzy

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Solitaire - Oct 22, 2007 10:43 pm (#43 of 2988)

Holly, I would say I am not in wildfire territory ... but I suppose anything is possible. There is no forestation around here, though--just houses, highways, and shopping centers. It's horrible down south, though. I can't help thinking that this would be a pretty good way to cripple the state, if anyone wanted to do that.

Sheila, there are fires every year at this time, although some years are worse than others. The timing on all of these fires is interesting. I heard a spokesperson from OC say that they suspect arson in the two Orange County fires. The Santa Ana winds aren't helping. They really whip things along into disastrous proportions.

Kim, I really would love a Maine Coon. I think they are just gorgeous. I read that Pebbles, the cat who portrays Mrs. Norris in the movies, is a Maine Coon ... and she is a beauty.

Fortunately, John, I live in flat ol' Kern County. There are areas where fires burn and mudslides happen ... but not in my area. Actually, the fires in the hills along the coast usually contribute to the mudslides. Since the brush that helps hold the dirt in place is gone, there is nothing to hold the mud in place in the rain ... and away it flows, down the mountainside ... or so I understand.

Tazzy, you may need to do what I do--turn the alarm on as loud as you can and put the clock clear across the room, so that you must get out of bed to turn it off. It works for me!

Healing charms to Lizzy's ears! My dad suffered from hearing loss in the last ten years of his life--mainly caused by loud farm equipment noises over his lifetime--and it bothered him terribly. He eventually gave up teaching Sunday School because his hearing was so terrible ... and the hearing aids just did not do the job. I hope you have better luck.

Safety charms to all who are in the paths of fires, storms, etc.

Solitaire

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Tazzygirl - Oct 22, 2007 11:12 pm (#44 of 2988)

LOL Soli. I normally don't have a problem waking up in the morning. I usually turn the TV on as soon as the alarm goes off, but I didn't make it this morning. I also usually turn the A/C off, but I had turned it off several hours before because it was making a very annoying ticking sound. Just one of those really off days. Tomorrow will be better- I'm going to go to bed here in about 20 minutes (it's 8:10 right now for me).

~Kristina

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Denise P. - Oct 23, 2007 2:58 am (#45 of 2988)

Yes, I got Maus in last week, Tazzy. Thanks for the offer. It is currently in my "to read" stack of books

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Catherine - Oct 23, 2007 3:36 am (#46 of 2988)

IS that a new rule? I -and plenty of my friends- taught while our mentor teachers were out during student teaching. –Puck

I did too, although I had a college degree (I did my student teaching in graduate school) and had taken the Effecting Teaching course (required for all subs). It was great--I got paid when my mentor was out!

It's great to see so many folks flitting in to say hello   **waves to Wayne and Kim**

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Madam Pince - Oct 23, 2007 4:38 am (#47 of 2988)

Lizzy, sorry about the accelerated hearing loss, but I'm glad they could re-adjust your hearing aids so that you're back up to speed. Here's hoping things level off and you don't have any further loss. (I just have to say, I love looking at your avatar! Such a cute little pup-pup! I like to put my cursor over the picture so it turns into the little hand and scratch under her (I think it's a her?) chin on those adorable whiskers! OK, so I'm weird...)

I like the puking pumpkins, too. Again... weird, but hey. I think whoever came up with the idea first was just really clever.

Tazzy, I had a friend who had a studio office in a very old building, and apparently some rodent died somewhere in the walls or flooring. It was really awful, and he just had to wait until the "mummification" process completed. Unless you know exactly where it is, it's hard to go tearing into walls or floors because you'd end up ripping the whole place apart before you find it maybe. I feel for you! There are extra heavy-duty deodorizers / air fresheners at Home Depot-type stores, but I'm thinking even they won't help much... Anyway, good luck!

Interesting about the background checks for substitute teachers. I attended a very brief training session for parent volunteers at the school (possible jobs include library shelving, tutoring kids with reading, helping do bulletin boards, etc.) and one lady started raising a big stink in the middle of the session about how she had a problem with the fact that volunteers don't have to undergo background checks. (There is a box to check on the form that says you agree to undergo one if you are asked, but they don't actually do it, for cost reasons, unless there's a question.) Apparently the question had never come up before because the teachers and people leading the session were floored, although they responded that she should bring it up with the principal and the school board at their next meeting. Actually, sadly enough, it seems that in today's world we have to be aware of those things, so I see her point and I technically agree with her. The bad thing was, she wouldn't let it go and kept harping on about it, which was accomplishing nothing except shutting down our training session which we had limited time to do anyway. She wasn't going to get anything done at that particular meeting, so it was just kind of frustrating that she kept on about it. I haven't heard anything or gotten any letters for volunteers to come in yet, so maybe she managed to shut down the whole program -- who knows.

Rain charms to California, and drying charms to New Orleans (again.) Hope everyone has a good RotD!

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painting sheila - Oct 23, 2007 5:10 am (#48 of 2988)

Good morning everyone!

I hope you all have a good day.

Tazzy - All I can say is "yuck!" I hope the smell goes away soon.

Lizzy - Sorry about your hearing. Thankfully they were able to adjust your hearing aids! I hear they are expensive.

I haven't looked at the puking pumpkins yet. It's on my "must do" list for the day.

We are off to Wilmington today for an audition for Lovely Daughter. We may take a walk on the beach afterwards. Yeah!

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Loopy Lupin - Oct 23, 2007 6:14 am (#49 of 2988)

It's great to see so many folks flitting in to say hello   **waves to Wayne and Kim** -- Catherine

Good to see you too Catherine. Those little monsters must be keeping you busy!

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Lupin is Lupin. Natch. - Oct 23, 2007 6:16 am (#50 of 2988)

Good to see you too Catherine. Those little monsters must be keeping you busy!---Loopy Lupin

Her students must keep her hopping as well.