Ilovemylabs

Actually I like Dr. Laura and used to listen to her regularly. She often stated that while she did work, she arranged her hours so she could be home with her son, which was her priority. She never really advocated NOT working outside the home. Her belief is that if you have a child, that child's well being should be your main concern. For some people this would be an issue. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to set their own hours, of course. This is why I think some people who are intensely career driven and choose not to have kids should not be criticized for it. They have it right. That's what choice is all about. She did make the point that some women who would like to stay home with their kids said they could not do so for financial reasons. I think she pointed out that when one counted in day care, transportation, lunches, and all the other things associated with a job, sometimes the money you made was really almost a break even deal. To the best of my knowledge she did not excoriate single moms who had to work. She advocated being a good judge of whom you were going to marry (marry in haste, repent in leisure), and having safe sex so that you didn't end up with an unwanted pregnancy. I can support that. I'm a bit to the right, in case you haven't figured it out, but I respect other opinions.

Are there REALLY that many fans of the Duggar family that it is worthwhile for TLC to produce yet another program based on the family? Honest to goodness, if I thought that my not watching that train wreck would help eliminate their 'fandom', I'd sell my TV.

Re: next week's episode. Christine says something to Robyn about never having seen her before (Robyn) speaking sharply to Kody. Well, she's legal now and can do what she wants. "Don't say panties at this table." She's taking over. Watch out Janelle, Meri, and Christine.

I know I'm in the minority here but I like the e-harmony commercials, especially the new ones with a Halloween theme. They are a dating site and no more offensive to me than the Match.com or Christian singles or Farmers only.com commercials.

My prayers are with you during this difficult time.

I liked Drew Barrymore but her constant 'Valley Girl' use of the word 'like' is off-putting to me. She ought to know a lot about films, considering her background.

LOL! When I was a young woman (not yet a mom), I visited with some high school friends who just had babies. One was pretty cool about everything but the other mentioned every name brand item she had for her new baby. I think Perego was a big name back then. I knew that we were getting a hand-me-down crib and stroller but I kept mum because she was so intent on impressing me. At Christmas she sent out a letter that detailed every single thing her child did in the last year...and I mean everything...every step in that child's development. I think she went month by month. It must have been 2 pages long. We, on the other hand, had been through several years of fertility treatments and finally went through an exhausting adoption process. I didn't need to share all those details. I wanted to do right by my baby, but I don't think bragging on possessions, or lecturing others was something I wanted to do. Let's face it, all moms want the best for their child and do what they feel comfortable with. I couldn't breast feed (although I actually looked into it) but my baby thrived anyway. I did make some home made food, but I bought jars as well. Maybe you could gently let her know that there are many right ways to raise a child. Her way is right for her. Others may do it differently, but still be right.

This article is from last year. I saw the double date episodes and one of the wives did get pregnant. They did a trip to Washington to visit his folks and talked about moving. Have not seen anything that they will be back on TV this year. Kody or Brady? Meh. Toss a coin.

I listened to some of the messages and it was rather pathetic--Meri asking him to get in touch, wondering where he is, all in a sad and pleading tone. It's her voice alright. I listened to a few and then couldn't take it anymore. I felt like I was dirty...an eavesdropper on something very personal. That Overton gal is sick.

I read that this is going to be a huge El Nino year and the west will get a lot of needed rain. Too bad we can't engineer some kind of huge pipeline cross country to transport the flood waters sometimes seen in the east to where it is needed in the west.

OMG! I love spiedes!

How long until Josh is released from 'rehab'? Have you guys been watching on Friday nights? Any Josh sightings? Is Anna allowed to visit him?

There's a Safe Lite windshield commercial about some little girls who are going to a recital in their pink tutus and one of them is obviously a Down syndrome child. I like the inclusiveness there.

My German mother-in-law made something similar, but I didn't mind it so much. My hubby calls it 'silsa' or something. She also would by a whole pig's head and boil it down to make knip, a sausage type product without the casing. Hubby likes that too but there is SO MUCH fat in it, I won't make it anymore. He just got back from 2 weeks in Germany and ate all that stuff to his heart's content (and damage, no doubt!)

I have to say that if I were in a polygamous marriage (it would never happen!), but if it did, I'd want to be as far away from my sister wives as possible. No common house or cul-de-sac for me. A different side of town at least.

Gosh, I'm sitting here with my first cup of morning coffee and beginning to drool! Halloween--love any kind of chocolate. We live in the country now and do not get any trick of treaters but that doesn't stop us from buying a few bags! Thanksgiving--really my favorite holiday. All food and very little stress. I enjoy cooking for a crowd. We will celebrate with some visiting relatives this year at my daughter's house, but I'll do most of the cooking. Turkey, traditional mashed potatoes, candied sweets potatoes, stuffing, kale (my grandma was of German descent and made it so it is mild and delicious), string beans in a burnt butter sauce, cranberry sauce, apple pie, pumpkin pie, and coconut custard pie. Our feast is a mixture of German and Italian because we'll often have Italian pastries along with the pies. I guess I'd better begin to plan now! By the way, I have found that my mom's recipe for meatloaf has been turning out dry. I've been on Allrecipes and tried some others. Anyone have a recipe that they absolutely love? You can PM me if the mods think that the forum will be overrun with meatloaf recipes!

My mom is from an Italian background so she would add egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley to the cold left over potatoes and then fry them up. Yummy!

Well, my results were not too surprising. My maternal grandparents were Sicilian, so I got 18.2% Italian. The rest was varying degrees of French, German, British, Irish, and Scandinavian. The majority of my DNA was southern and northeastern Europe. The surprises came with definite DNA links to Ashkenazi (Jews) and 4.1% middle eastern. There was also a small portion of sub-Saharan Africa. And 2.5% link to Neanderthal DNA. The site is great. You can answer surveys to help 23 and Me link genetic strains to certain illnesses, etc. You can also contact close and not-so-close relatives from a list they provide. The worst thing was spitting into that little test tube (but NOT in NY please!). I understand that Ancestry.com just asks for a cheek swab. Can't wait to see what my siblings think! Yeah, I mentioned it and it just struck me as funny that I had to sign that I hadn't even collected the saliva sample in NY! But I live in NY and nothing this state does surprises me anymore. I think that's a good idea. I did a little research on several firms before I decided to go with 23 and Me. Nothing against Ancestry. Gosh, they only ask for a cheek swab, I think! But I am well satisfied with 23 and Me.

Well, I've just about recovered from the drama so I thought I'd lighten the mood with a cute story. For Christmas this year I decided to get my 2 sisters and brother a DNA profile of our family. I am using 23 and Me, although Ancestry.com does something similar. Since we all have the same parents, the results would be similar, if not identical, for all of us. The cost is just over $100 and I thought this would be a unique gift. We all have all the 'stuff' we need. So I get the kit and I have to fill a small test tube with saliva. They said it would take 5-7 minutes of spitting to reach the required line. Well, I live in NY and apparently this service is considered laboratory testing or some such nonsense and 23 and Me is not a registered lab in this state. So I had to sign a statement that I had not spit the sample in NY or mailed it from NY!!!! Well, goody two-shoes that I am I waited until I reached my daughter's house in NJ to collect and mail the sample! I mean, they could tell where it was mailed from, but collecting it? I have my results which are quite interesting and am going to ask my brother to do it (after Christmas...don't want to spoil the surprise) to get a complete picture of our family DNA. There are some things that are only passed down from father to son, or something. Someone much smarter in biology than I am can probably explain it. Have a great weekend.

OK I guess it's sign up time again because I am having to view all those boring Humana commercials that seem to play every 15 minutes on the TV. They're not the only offenders, but they're the worst IMO.

OH, WW, I certainly did NOT mean to offend you. So very sorry! I think you are awesomely brave.

You know, there WAS a movie just like this on TV a few years ago. Everything except the mother being sick part. Someone famous (sorry I can't remember who) played the jackass father. The child was severely disabled. Wish I could remember the name of the movie.

Well, duh! I'm wondering where the picture of Maisie is. How come everyone is saying how beautiful she is? Where's the picture? Then my little pea brain found it. I concur. She is just lovely! WW get some stuff in writing from your doctor to give that jackass and his whore limits on what they can do when they have Maisie. Ask him yet again NOT to bring his tart to your home (OK, maybe don't say it exactly like that). Would he give up custody? And what about his parents? Are they as insensitive as he is? I'd go for full custody. Write down everything...document, document, document! Record stuff if it is possible (and legal). Check that out. You have a child with a disability. Surely there are tons of social services you are entitled to. Contact others who have children who have the implants. Maybe they can give you some suggestions. The doctor who did her surgery might give you some guidance. Go WW and Maisie!

I have read that you should not give honey to a child under 1 year old. Please check it out!

I play Bingo online. When I'm stressed it relieves tension. You go for it! (And I'm much older than you!) Edited to note that I'm not one of those little old ladies in polyester, with grey hair and a handbag. I just play online for the fun of it.