classylady

I have seen people repent and change. And, I've seen many who refuse to repent/change.

I had seven kids. I've been a "working" mom and a stay-at-home mom at different times throughout the raising of those children. I felt guilt with both--staying home or "working". (I put working in parenthesis because you're working even when you're a SAHM). Maybe, I was lucky, but I always felt supported by my fellow sisters in whatever role I had to perform. I never felt judged harshly if I was a "working" mom or a SAHM. Thank you, to all my fellow sisters who supported me. I love you. Now, I did not say that I didn't judge myself. As a woman, I find my identity in my home and family. I never found my identity with my career. To me, my job was just that, a job. I worked, when needed, to supplement our family's meager income. Every day on my commute, I would be worrying about my children/family as I drove. While I was working, my mind was usually two places at once--on the job and at home. On the drive home I'd be thinking about my family, and all the issues at home. If the house was a mess, I took the blame. I was awfully harsh on myself. When I was a full-time working mother, I still did the majority of the house work. DH was "old school", and never even thought about helping around the house. It never even crossed his mind. He'd help if I asked. But, it gets very tiring to always ask. When I was a SAHM, I would feel guilt because we needed extra income, and yet here I was at home. I would feel guilt because I felt I should be giving more to my children than I did. I felt guilt when I took time for myself. I felt guilt when the house was a mess, because I was at home wasn't I? The house shouldn't get so messy. And so it would go. I was my harshest critic. Thankfully, I'm a little more wise. I still find my identity with my home and family. But, I'm not so harsh on myself. I still feel some guilt, because, well, because my children aren't perfect, and I don't have the perfect marriage. But, no matter what, I love them. And they love me back. And at the end of the day, I think that's what matters most.

Because my husband's job has involved computers, he was able to get second-hand computers very inexpensively. So, that meant, all our children had their own computers. Our 9 year old grandson had his very own computer by the age of 4 (his dad bought a used one from the University). And because my grandson wanted to play games on the computer that he saw his older uncles and aunts play, he was reading on a 10th grade level by 1st grade. We (his grandparents and dad) did not work a lot with him on his reading skills. We didn't need to. He picked most of it up by being on the computer. It's a whole new world out there. Who would have imagined that just by "googling" a question, almost anything can be found? And, with social media, we can stay in contact with friends and family that we may have long lost contact with. With this new world, parents need to step-up and be the parent. I admit that I was naive at first, and didn't have a clue as to what my kids could view on the internet. Luckily, my kids understood that there are some things you just don't view. I have overheard one of my older kids advise a younger friend that he would "kick his butt" if he ever caught him looking at inappropriate sites. My 9 year old grandson (the one who had his own computer by age 4) can run circles around me when it comes to the computer. He makes his own "how to" blogs for the game Minecraft. I think he calls it a "mod". He has subscribers. I have a hard time keeping up with what he can do. We've had to set some very strict rules about who he is allowed to interact with on the internet. No adults that we don't personally know.

I'm teaching the four year olds this year too. It's been a huge adjustment for me. I think I'm slowly getting the hang of the younger kids. I've sort of had the same problem as Backroads with the kids wanting to sit in the big chairs during sharing time. One time I did just get a different chair. Today, I had the offender get off the big chair and sit on the little chair. I think, for some reason at this age, they like to think they're "big" kids. During class time, quite a few of the children don't want to sit on their chairs, but want to lay down, or sit backwards, or kneel, anything but sit down. Today, I was very firm that during the lesson time they had to "park it". That means sitting still, like a parked car. Also, told them they had to sit on their chairs "back to back, and seat to seat". That means their back is on the back of the chair, not their chests (sitting backwards), and their seat needed to be on the seat of the chair--no laying down, etc. They seemed to get it. We do take a break during class for a drink of water or the restroom. I told them when we color or have an activity they don't have to "park it" then.

I have on occasion wondered how Christ could feel the same things that I, as a woman, have felt. I'll talk generally here, and not specifics, but, for example, I can agonize and be heartbroken over certain events, that my husband is able to compartmentalize, and go on about his life and not let it overcome him. Whereas, I'm nearly devastated by it, and yes I can go on about my life, but for me, it's not compartmentalized, but integrated and everything is emotionally linked. I just need to trust that the atonement really will take care of all hurts.

Great idea!

I remember reading "The Miracle of Forgiveness" and getting terribly depressed and feeling hopeless after reading a particular quote. Several years later I went back to read it again, and read through the quote again, and I didn't feel that overwhelming sense of hopelessness and depression I had the first time around. In fact, my understanding of the quote was entirely different from the first read.

We just had a small restaurant whose menu featured sliders go out of business in our community. I don't think very many people knew what sliders were.

I don't see anything wrong with a unique spelling. My hubby and I used a unique spelling for my 2nd sons middle name. He likes it and is glad it's unique. Maikel instead of Michael.

If you're inexperienced driving in the snow, if possible, after a snow storm find an empty (big) parking lot that still hasn't been plowed. Practice stopping, turning, and going into slides. (This can be fun). Learn how to get yourself out of a slide. Turn your wheels in the direction that the rear of your car is sliding. It helps to look with your eyes where you want the car to go, and turn the steering wheel in that direction. It is easy to steer too far, causing the car to slide in the other direction. If this happens (called overcorrecting), you'll need to turn in the opposite direction. Another thing to practice, again if possible, is starting from a complete stop on a hill. This is where traction is needed. I'd advise not practicing on a hill with tires that are nearly bald. Learn how to stop going down hill with ice packed roads. Some of this comes with experience. Ive been driving on snowy roads since I was a teenager. I've had some close calls, and luckily only avoided an accident because no other cars were present--inexperience on my part. That's why I say practice. And just learn to slow down.

I could be wrong, but I believe women aren't required to go to a Stake Council.

This is the first I've heard about that show. Sounds awful to me and I would probably never watch it. And I have to admit it reminds me of the show "Sister Wives", which I confess I've never watched in it's entirety, just too repulsed by it.

Children are resilient. My husband's ex was excommunicated for having several affairs while they were married. Their two children of course still love their mother. They are compassionate. They are forgiving and understanding. More than anything they want there mother to come back into the church. If you were excommunicated or disfellowshipped, I would tell the children that you can't take the sacrament for awhile, and it is an issue you are working on. Offer them your testimony of the Atonement and of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will see you as someone to emulate, someone who loves the Lord and the Gospel.

I had an acquaintance who was expecting her fourth baby. She knew she wanted an epidural. She'd had epidurals with her other three births. So, she figured she didn't ever need to take natural child birth classes. Well, her fourth baby decided to come pretty quickly. There was no time to get an epidural. The baby was delivered at home, before they could even get to the hospital. She says she is a firm believer in childbirth classes, of any kind, because you never know what's going to happen.

With my first pregnancy I wanted to know everything. I read a lot of books. I went to birthing classes that stressed no meds. I'm glad I went to all the classes and learned as much as I could. But, I had some complications (preeclampsia) during the latter stages of pregnancy and birth. During the birth, I kept refusing all meds. The hospital was ready to send my husband and me to a high risk hospital. I finally realized the important thing was a healthy baby (and mom), and finally gave consent to the help I needed. After I had to be hooked up to meds, monitors, catheter, and pitocin, where I simply couldn't relax through the contractions anymore, I agreed to an epidural. Ah, such blessed relief. I had guilt for years, that I had failed somehow. Now, I can see how silly that was. I didn't need to carry that burden of guilt. The important thing was to get a healthy baby here, and still have me around to take care of him.

Eowyn, I have some vague memory of something said over the pulpit about Bunco too. But, I can't remember where or who said it. If my memory serves me correctly, it was something to the effect that Bunco was not a great thing to join or attend.

Yes. Or you can buy any item you can afford, and then rent whatever you don't have. I have done that throughout the years. I used to have everything, and then after my pregnancies I couldn't fit into my white dress or slip anymore. All the other items were fine. So I rented a dress and slip for a number of years until I gave up that I was ever going to fit into my old dress again. <sigh> I finally bought myself a new temple dress and slip.

Are Spanx undergarments expensive? What type of undergarment would I buy if I want to hold in my muffin top? Or is there such a garment that would help alleviate the muffin top? I feel so out of the loop.

4 wheel drive or AWD is nice to have when driving in the snow. But, not a necessity. I have front wheel drive, and I chug along just fine. The important thing to remember is to take it slow, and DON'T tailgate. Never slam on the brakes--pump, pump, pump! I don't like rear wheel drive on snow.

Happy birthday!

Congratulations!

Whenever I've traveled to France, I've never had a problem with them either. My experience of the French is that they have been gracious and helpful.

Agreed. But, then I think about men's swim trunks. Have any of you noticed how big and baggy they are nowadays? They're fashioned to go down to their knees. Obviously, I'm not talking about the men's swim team suits, (speedos). I can't imagine why anyone thinks the big baggy swim trunks on men are attractive. But, then of course I grew up when men's shorts were actually short and showed some leg/thigh. Am I wrong to miss those styles? I miss those styles on my basketball sports team too. lol We've had several threads lately about women being equal with men. If that's the case, then I'm thinking women would love to wear big baggy swim trunks and a t-shirt when they go swimming. I don't see that happening any time soon.

Wingnut, I'm sorry to hear about your problem. I've had the same problem in the past. My advice would be to pray about it. Sending hugs your way.

I don't have a source to go to, as this is from memory, but, it was probably somewhere around 1976/77 that women were given permission to pray in Sacrament meetings.