Free Republic

It is so difficult for me seeing my kids grow up (too fast!). There seems to be an inate unfairness that our job is to raise them so that they can leave us and live on their own. My kids (teens now) are very loving and kind, but they are also fiercely independent since they were very young. It about killed me when they started school for the first time with nothing more than a “bye mom!”

I of course want them to be as independent as they are (I raised them that way), but as a mom sometimes it hurts my heart knowing that in only a few short years they won’t be here in the house all the time.

I adore having teenagers... We have the best conversations and my son is so tall now he can reach the top of the shelves for me. He jokes that I only had him so he could reach stuff for his short mother. Lol

“Career? Gave it up. Worked for $10 an hour or less for the past 18 years - gladly - trading $$ for flexiblity. Now I am back in school, busting my rear end to get some credentials -just got my MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional)two days ago-Yippee! Life is good.”

Wonderful!

I also gave up my career to raise our kids for the past 16 years. It was the best thing I could have ever done. I will go back to work once they are on their own and I can have my career then, God willing. But even if I never make another dime or become successful by the worlds standards, I will never ever regret the time and effort I put into raising my kids.

I think too often people equate raising kids with only supporting them financially. They need constant teaching of not only the “three R’s”, but character development, prayer, manners (sorely lacking nowadays), and all sorts of other life issues. Putting a roof over their heads and handing them and Xbox is not raising them. Raising children takes your whole heart and I think most people today aren’t willing to give that much to anyone other than themselves unfortunately.

One of my husbands coworkers is in the same boat. They have an 9 year old daughter who still cannot read. Not due to lack of ability, but rather the mother is homeschooling and is waiting for the child to be “spiritually ready to read”. I won’t even get into the discipline problems they are having. It’s actually pretty sad.

I’m not a smoker, but all of this anti smoking, please save me from the bad evil smokers, hysteria grates on my nerves. Whether or not people smoke is the least of the problems in the world I think we should be focusing on. Next thing you know they will ban fried food or peanut butter or fine you for having cat hair on your jacket that could cause an allergic reaction for someone.

I don’t know why I even read these threads, they get my dander up! And I don’t even smoke!

I can’t stand him either. This election feels like it’s 2004, only this time we have 2 Kerry’s.

I got one of those letters. My SS card didn’t match my DL (long story involving my mother changing my middle name without changing it on my SS card when I was a kid). Anyway, I had to go to court with all sorts of paperwork and $400 to get my name changed to the name I’ve been using for 20+ years. Then I had to go to the SS office (that was fun), then to the DMV (even more fun). And now I am finally who I am again! haha

It was a huge bother and expense, and I had to come up with a lot of paperwork to prove I was born here and am who I say I am. Heaven forbid that the illegal aliens have to play by the rules too.

Interesting.

Why would neo nazi’s be eating at a Thai restaurant? It’s like a Mel Brooks movie. Lol

“I was about to say we will know it’s his if it has perfect hair at birth.”

Great! LOL!!!

Both of my parents were immigrants to this country and were exactly how you described your landlords. They became Americans the day the arrived here and not only did they adopt the language asap, they also adopted American customs and culture. My father always said if he had wanted to be German he would have stayed in Germany. They also learned English, became educated and raised 5 children without a single handout from anyone other than a little help in the beginning from a church. They both loved this nation until the day they died.

There was a fire in an area north of Temecula a couple hours ago. The neighbors saw the arsonist start it and got a good description of him. Hope they catch him! Sick individual.

Fire was put out by the planes very quickly, thank goodness!

It’s insulting to call her a “trophy wife”. And what does age difference have to do with anything? If he had an adulterous relationship with her while married then that would be a serious character flaw to look into, but for the press to grab onto a minor age difference (she isn’t 25 for goodness sakes) is just petty.

They are pretty normal every day people. The seniors in my historical society group love him, several employees at my husbands business have been chattering away about him, a majority at my church (members not leadership - no idea who they like since they don’t talk politics at all), the ladies in my gardening club, and every single one of the gals that I voluteer with at the crisis pregnancy center. Oh, and our accountant too! (But he is definitely strange, so he doesn’t count lol)

I can’t explain it at all and am not sure what to make of it, but this is what I am hearing and seeing (too often if you ask me, because I’m not ready to get into another election just yet... I think Kerry scarred me for life! lol).

Just posting my observations not my support.

I’m not so sure he doesn’t have a chance. Support is growing among the many conservatives I know. Almost my entire church is supporting him now, and my inlaws (who have worked on literally dozens of republican races from local to presidential) are behind him 100%. I’m still on the fence about who I support, but Ron Paul is quickly gaining momentum in all of my circles. Even my son (who will old enough to vote just before the election) is impressed with Paul.

It’s going to be a very interesting election this time around.

Oh gee... Thanks for THAT picture. Now I’ll have nightmares for a week. lol

All dogs... Yes, even the sweet Golden that practically speaks English... need to be watched with children, elderly etc... There is no such thing as a dog not capable of biting. They are animals and can’t tell us that they are really irritated by your perfume, or scared of the look on your face. Even if I agreed with the government getting involved in breed specific legislation (which I don’t), breed banning is simply not workable in any way. The best way to stop these horrific bites is dog owner education, and matching the best dog to the owners life situation... But I won’t hold my breath. People tend to acquire a particular breed or mix for the wrong reasons. How many people ran out and bought Jack Russells when that dog was on Fraiser.. only to find out that they are VERY active, digging, barking, chewing typical terriers? And don’t even get me started on the dalmation fiasco...

I completely agree with you... The information is out there, but most people really don’t bother to look. And you are right on the money about the pet store employee’s. Chow pups are one of the cutest things in the world, and I doubt that the salesperson ever explains to the buyer what that cutie will grow up into. I’ve seen gross mismatching of dog and owner at shelters as well.

I think people do more research when choosing a new vacuum than when choosing a new dog... Unfortunate.

“The article said this is a chow mix. Chows are very unpredictable. There are lots of instances where they have turned on their owners. Very dangerous dogs.”

Everyone (literally) I have ever known who has worked with dogs is wary of chows. I am not for breed banning (I think it is unworkable, among other reasons), but I do wish more information was available to the public about breed tendencies. There are good/bad dogs in every breed, but certain breeds really are more prone to bite. The problem with chows (from my own personal experience) is that they give no warning signs. I can almost always tell when a dog is going to attempt a bite, but chows seem to have a poker face that would bankrupt Vegas... I don’t trust peke’s either, but a peke can only take off your nose, a chow can take off your whole face. Then there are those lovely corso’s who can take off your whole head... (Which are the breed I can almost guarantee you will be the choice of “ganstas” everywhere if pits are banned.)

Chows are notorious for biting without provocation or warning. Weird dogs.

Most likely they’re keeping it to see if it shows any signs of rabies. If they do euthanize it (which they should) they will probably do a rabies scan on the brain as well.

Terrible thing for that poor lady to go through. :(