BadWolf

ROFL... I am sooooo crawling all through iTunes right now adding and moving stuff. Ahem. I was supposed to be cleaning.

No. "They" don't. SOME do. Some hope. Some have absolutely NO religious affiliation whatsoever. Some believe their actions will send them to he'll, but its worth it for ________ (publicity, revenge, strategic hits, money, to protect their families, to protect others, etc., etc., etc.,), . It's. Just. Not. That. Simple.

Last ditch effort: I doubt you'll actually listen, and might not even be capable of listening, but Im a sucker for the underdog. Old Joke : How does an addict change a lightbulb? By standing still... While the world revolves around them. 1) You asked an incredibly broad question... When it appears you actually had a very narrow focus: Are recovering addicts, who did bad things in the past, who are now doing good things able to be defined as good people or bad people on the basis of this actions? Which would receive an incredibly different series of responses. And then also went on to act as if, even in that narrow scope, no one else has any familiarity with active/recovering addiction (ahem, case in point: how an addict REACTS to xyz being the issue in play... Aka feeling unloveable is the REACTION to the stimulus of being called bad. WHY they react that way is a different kettle of fish. Point being its not being called bad that creates an addict. Being called good/pretty/competent/etc. can ALL create the pain/pressure/etc when seen through an addictive lens... Is probably some of the most basic doctrine in addiction & recovery. The stimulus matters not whether its positive, neutral, or negative. Blame shifting and failure to take responsibility is active addiction/relapse thinking). 2) In addition to that VERY narrow focus (recovering addicts), you've been trying to make that answer, (which fits a very NARROW set of variables, because there are exceptions to every group, even narrowly defined groups) and apply across all cases. Which doesn't work. Period. You're talking recovering addicts... And most people are instead looking at your actual BROAD question. Which includes: 2A - Psychopathy - Sociopathy - sadists - sexual sadists - pedophiles - and others in the DSM 2B - ALONG with those, who have no structural or chemical neurological disorders and diseases purely acting on choice (even if the choice is : do bad thing or die) C - Learned Behaviors D - Culture 2C Etc... Refer back to my original list..which still isn't complete. 3) And now you're trying to take a single setseries of answers (what's generally true for a subset of recovering addicts given xyz variables) and apply them to other narrow focus groups (terrorists & soldiers). - People who commit acts of terror fall into MANY different groups. Their motivation being only ONE group (not all terrorist are extremists, much less religious extremists... Although many are...they're not even the majority). - Armies / Wars / Nature of Enmity ... Soldiers actually fighting wars nearly never believe the other side is evil & or bad. Most, quite simply, believe their enemy to be Just Like Them... Soldiers doing their job. Is anger often involved? Of course. But I've never met anyone who actually serves who believes "them" to be bad/evil. _______ Please stop. This oversimplification of incredibly complex topics, and trying to cram everyone into a single neat BOX, is physically painful. If you need to believe that you were NEITHER a good person doing bad things, NOR a bad person transitioning into a good one, nor a good one now in order to feel okay with yourself that's FINE. You could even be 100% correct. But Personal Truths rarely translate even to other individuals... Much less universally. This is true for me, so it must be true for everyone... Is a common fallacy most people fall into from time to time ... But it's also extremely limiting at best and dangerous as well. None of us need to convince you that what we believe is right/true... BECAUSE THERE CAN BE MORE THAN ONE TRUTH in the world. My truths do not challenge your truths. You believing you we're/are neither good nor bad isn't made a lie by other people having different experiences. There can be bad people in the world without you having been one of them, regardless of your actions. LOL... And just because our experiences are different hardly makes everyone else ignorant/incapable. Something can be true for you, without having to be true for everyone.

Cutting is an addiction. There's a flood of endorphins and NT's released by cutting (and other forms of self harm) that self medicates someone with serious mental/emotional pain. A talented professional (usually a psychiatrist / counselor team) can get you to the point where you feel like that (relief) ALL the time. Which is "normal". Usually via meds + therapy. Then taper off the meds and just therapy. Then nada. Meds are NOT always required, sometimes a self harm taper works, but its a dicey thing. It's far more dangerous than alcohol/opioid addiction for example. Unlike many addictions cutting isn't typically something you want to just 12step. The suicide rate is too high. Cutting CAN just be sensory seeking (common amongst SPD types), but this doesn't sound like you. Suicide would be a very real concern, so I would absolutely make sure that you're under care of some competent & talented people before you try and break the addiction. A great counselor will be able to help you substitute other sensory input to help, as well, which can be life long 'warm fuzzies' / 'thrilling' / relief ... Which doesn't trip into addiction-land. These will be different for different people... But serve to clarify your mind when things start getting all 'noisy'. Being ADHD (aka ill have sensory stuff forever... Which I'm fine with because they're healthy/balanced) I have tons of my own tricks... And they're a lifelong tool I use to clarify when I'm distracted. People in difficult transitions might not need sensory tools lifelong, but they are inordinately useful.

Is it a bad thing that I like many Glee versions better than the originals?

Actually this is one of the very few points Id like to diverge on: Crimes against children. The vast majority of truly evil (as well as varying degrees of bad) people (that I've known) were MADE that way. By being broken/crushed/destroyed as children. These are the people in my "good to bad" people spectrum that I consider "damaged". (Actually, damaged group 2). People whose spirits were broken so badly that they become the evil inflicted upon them. I'm personally rather fond with the way Egypt handles crimes against children: Its a Capitol Offence. Stop the cycle, now. Because to destroy a child's mind IS inflicting terrible damage on them for not only their entire life, but all the children they then pass on their own damage onto. Which is how Ive always taken "Sins of the Father" to really mean.

There's a very good reason why Catholicism is the favorite religion of the Mob (not just Italian mob). The Confessional.

Ummm... I'm going to hit 'by genre' to sort it... But as a warning... My personal playlists always tick SOMEONE off. I listen to "everything". So either because there's a genre someone hates, or because I don't have so'n'so out of one of the genres. This is just what Im listening to right now (not my library) so there's lots of great artists not in here. Also typically only one or 2 songs by each artist. LOL, and yep! I just hit 'shuffle'. (Makes the cars next to me very confused in bumper to bumper traffic). 1st Batallion Queens Own Anna Netrebko Elina Garanca London Phil Pavoratti Domingo Benny Goodman Billie Holiday Ella Fitzgerald Frank Sinatra Louis Armstrong Nat King Cole Nina Simone Adele Alex Clare Black Keys Cake Coldplay Credence Clearwater Revival Dave Mathews Band Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip Fun Foster the People Glee Cast GreenDay Journey Killers Of Monsters & Men Matisyahu Mumford & Sons Offspring Pearl Jam Red Hot Chili Peppers REM Santana Sublime Temple of the Dog U2 Amy Grant Big n Rich Carrie Underwood Charlie Danials Christian Kane Darius Rucker Jane Deer Girls Lee Brice Randy Travis Rascal Flats Trace Adkins Willie Nelson Chemical bros Crystal Method Daft Punk Fatboy Slim Keoki Prodigy Rabbit in the Moon TryHardNinja 311 Cee Lo Green Cypress Hill David Guetta Akon Eminem Lady Gaga LMFAO Flobots Flo rida Kanye West Maroon 5 Nikki Minaj Outkast Pitbull Rihanna Korn Marilyn Manson

For us new folk... Can you synopsis?

ROFL... I'm a convert. And a fairly recent one at that. I opened the door to the missionaries with my 'working music' blasting, wearing jeans that showed more skin than they covered, half covered in paint (with a paintbrush in hand), a big ole smile (I was in a spectacular mood / feeling untouchable/ very flippant and playful (aka an Actual spectacular mood, not being sarcastic there, just as a heads up since my humor is pretty dry)... ... And every single reason on why they'd be wasting their time with me on my lips. Because I honestly didn't want to waste their time. I usually do my patented missionary brush off (I live in a college area... Lots of missionaries of various sects)... But that day I didn't. In part, because I was covered in paint, and part of that technique involves traipsing through my house to fetch water bottles or therma cups for hot chocolate. And in part, because Elder A talks faster than I do!!! (A feat. Lemme tell ya). And then... I did something similar to what you're doing. I emailed a Mormon friend (ISH) that I "knew" (friend from a board for 6 years, but never met in person, I wasn't about to ask people IRL. But right before I could hit send... My computer crashed. Aaargh. I'd just listed out every reason this was a stupid SCHTUPID idea, at some personal cost, and the durn laptop snuffs it??? Vexing. By the 8th crash over a few weeks... I got the hint. Besides. I'd already brought up all my issues in real life. With the missionaries, and various born and converted Mormons in my ward (the M's were like "You've gotta meet Sister So&So, or Brother Whosit! Okay...). I did eventually email my board-friend. Who burst out laughing, said people ALWAYS thought the church was getting the short end of the stick... And a bunch of other great things. My family thinks Im nuts. But they already "knew" that, so they're okay. My LDS friends from years gone by have ALL had the same reaction. "Well, FINALLY!" Blink. Blink. None of which answers your questions about why this is MY church, because my answers will mean jack to you. They boil down to it being the perfect, RIGHT thing to do for me. And my son. (If it was right for me, but wrong for my son, it wouldn't have happened). Point being: Its time to go pester the missionaries. Not meaning "go away", but you need WAY more than we can give you here. Why? Because reading does jack. Kind if like reading about food. Great and all, but you won't know if you ACTUALLY like/love/hate it until you try it. Face to face is HUGE. Typing is safe (btdt), but face to face is substantive. Here's a middle ground for you: Chat with Us | Mormon.org Get some real ones to your door. Give them your address / phone number & set something up. One thing I LOVE about this church is the respect. Missionaries in the LDS church won't harass you. If, after meeting, you say "Nah, thanks anyway." They won't keep showing up and showing up. Now, thats not to say they wont touch base once or twice jist to make sure you werent just freaked out (althoigh they may not, respect for people making their own decisions is HUGE), they're not like Jehovahs witnesses who will hound you. Also Mormon Missionaroes INVITE, they don't threaten. Is it going to be a little wacky? Yup. Absolutely. But "either way"... It's worth it. Because you'll be learning.

I haven't been able to get into Khan, yet... (Which, as an exHS'er is almost sacrilegious, I know!) But am thoroughly addicted to TED TED | Talks | List As well as ; Oxford/Cambridge/Yale/UCLA's complete coursework online (from syllabi, reading notes, power points, lecture notes, assignments, etc)

Okay... Actually both my tongue in cheek responses are a LITTLE serious: 1) Sex. As in there's never any concern, or at least a very minimal concern with gay men. 2) Sex. As in our husbands and sweethearts never forbid us to go have deep conversations about romance... With other women. 3) Sex. As in we don't have to keep up appearances with other women (although we will largely STILL put the nearest pillow over our stomachs when sitting), a d getti g highly animated in our discussions is rarely if ever misconstrued as flirting. Now... I'm not saying those are VALID reasons, nor indeed ALL the reasons for the discrepency... But while I was joking. There's actually a lot of truth in them. Here's some more: 4) Sex. As in the appearance of virility. Most men would be far too uncomfortable in their masculinity to go to court over not being welcome in a women's only group. 5) Bravery : To the victor go the spoils. We FOUGHT (and continue to fight) for the right to be in men's only groups. Meaning thousands (and millions) of women had their/our femininity called into question, our 'everything' (intellectual capacity, motives, physical ability, emotional stability, motivations, sexuality, etc.) tried in hundreds and thousands of courts (legal, public opinion, ecclesiastical, dinner tables). As if men had the right to call those things into question (ditto all equal rights groups who have fought for the same rights as another group... Not say men are the enemy, just that they were the opposing body at the time. There have always been women and men on both sides of the line, but the line for women's access to previous men only areas was large drawn us/them...women/men). This is still not past tense. I qualified for sniper school. A tiny tiny fraction do. But I wasn't allowed to go: because I'm female. 4+5= ) Until men are willing to suffer the indignities of expecting equality... They won't get it. 6) But wait theres more: 1,2,3 + 6 = And it will be an uphill battle (as it was with women's lib) because of #1-3. Other men won't WANT men around their wives and sweethearts in a place that was formerly "safe", and many women won't want them "invading" either 7) Cluelessness. Whaddayamean men aren't allowed? Of course they are! 8) Cluelessness. Oh! I'd never have thought to invite Billy Bob & Sven & Gregor to the " insert 'girly' name here" group. 9) False Marketing. I'm on a parenting board with a Female name (mama...). We have maybe 6 dads and hundreds of women. We TOTALLY welcome dads and grandfathers. Most of us. There's maybe 1 "go away" post (out of 1000s) each year. And that post gets STOMPED on. Men are totally welcome. But the name of the board is just not indicative of it. Better than it USED to be (for Moms, by Moms... Even though we're the same group, and welcomed our TWO dads back then... That we know of... In Internet land we could all be purple people eaters) 10) Attempt at legal fairness flop : As in 2 groups (men & women's) both CHARTERED, but the men's group never attended... So in practicality, there's only a women's group (this kicks back to To the Victor... If someone doesn't stand up and insist (and risk being mocked), the status quo remains 11) Polite attempt to "excuse" husbands and sweethearts from something they'd otherwise feel obligated to go to (and be miserable) 12) Not so subtle attempt to have a child-free night (Honey... I have my book club. You're on.) 13) Subtle attempt not to have mom's book club something mom can never go to, because dad goes to it now, and SOMEONE has to stay home _______ Again... Not saying this are why men shouldn't , just why men aren't.

Out! Out!!! No men allowed in the harem! Off with you! Scoot! The NERVE....

You just have to be gay. And flamboyant about it. Gay men are allowed in every women's club known to man. (Known to women? Huh. Troublesome wording, that.) Including the ladies room.

There is a kind of false reasoning known as denying the antecedent or 'reverse logic doesn't work period'. If A is True -> Then B is False B is false FAULTY logic (denying the antecedent, or reverse logic doesn't work, period ) would say that since B is false, A MUST be true. Nope. No idea. The relationship Just. Doesn't. Work. That. Way. Ex) Sick people take pills So... If I don't take pills, I won't get sick! Jumping off the Empire State Building would kill me If I don't jump off the Empire State Building, nothing can kill me! The inability to recognize faulty logic is actually suggestive of a neurological problem. It's part of the diagnostic process in ERs, as matter of fact. So is literal reasoning. If when asked "Why are you here?" The patient answers "I took a cab." it means they need a neuro consult before leaving. I'm honestly concerned for you, Marlin, and this is meant kindly. While many of us believe that there are several kinds of people, and many of us believe there is no way to accurately say what kinds of people their are for lack of information... No one who is disagreeing with the other side is continuously using faulty logic nor overliteralization in their position making. If you're currently altered (pain meds post surgery, antidepressants, etc.) then this is easily explained. If so, I would counsel you to touch base with your provider, as there are some concerning side effects. If NOT, I would counsel that you seek help through your doctor or the local ER for a neurological consult. I should highlight... This is NOT because we disagree. I disagree with people all the time. LOL, including here! Disagreement, especially in spiritual matters is expected. It's because of the WAY in which you are disagreeing with people. It's very very concerning.

I'm trying to figure out if you're being deliberately obtuse. Sure. Once we've gone and snuffed it, the only opinion that matters is Gods. Until then, in no small part to avoid pushing up the daisies, we all exercise our judgement hundreds of times a day. And SOME of us build relationships with people based off of our judgement of their character. Or avoid having certain people in our lives (even if its just 10 seconds, by choosing to avoid someone we judge to be dangerous. Judgement is not a bad thing. It's a continuously evolving (well for most) based off of our experiences and acquisition of knowledge. It's all very well to sit back and say "Only god can judge", right up until you climb out of bed and go out into the world. At that point, its incumbent on each of us to use our brains to the best of our ability.

Bwaaaahahaha! Of COURSE I'm using my judgement. Thank goodness for it. And doubly so for prompting a from the spirit. I do, however, totally reject the premise that in order to exercise my judgement it would have to be infallible. That's some of the most convoluted logic I've ever come across. A stiltifying premise, at that, that leads to total absolving of responsibility, and an ego my neck could never support... That my judgement could somehow 'define' a person for their entire lives. You never specified the condition that people have to remain static in your Q (or I would have told you that you were being ridiculous). INSTEAD, I have you real people I have actually known, in my own life. I'm sure there are other types & kinds of people, but those were examples I have personally come across I get, now, that you're rabidly biased by working with plastic minds (psych concept plastic / malleable) of children... Literally in one of the types I listed (TRANSITION). But that doesn't mean that people in transition &/or the innocent, &/or culturally different are the ONLY people who exist in this world. I could use a thousand examples... But I'll use one: I was tortured for 3 months. My torturers included those who were merely doi g their job, those who enjoyed inflicting pain or having power over me or both, those who were mentally deranged (some who enjoyed it, some who were totally unable to connect / I wasn't realto them), some who were basically good people (didn't stop them). During that time period, I was also privileged to be able to watch first hand as people transitioned (or not). I've been around the block a few times. I e known a lot of different TYPES of people. And yes. I sort them out in my own mind and my own heart, as I care to. I'm often wrong about people (not that often, I'm a pretty good judge of character in general). BUT that does not nullify when I'm dead on about people. And for the record, good v bad is ENTIRELY subjective.

Nope!!! In my own life I've met - Good People - Good People who do bad things - Bad People - Bad People who do good things - People who do the right thing for the wrong reasons (either G/B people) - People who do the wrong thing for the right reasons (either G/B people) - People in transition (from any of the above to another) - Dangerous Good People - Dangerous Bad People - Damaged People - People who are completely good/honorable under their own cultures morals... Which just happen to be different from mine - Those under the protection of god (innocent... Aka incapable of knowing right from wrong. I'm not talking sociopaths and psychopaths, but like low functioning autism, some HFA, downs, etc.)

I would like to suggest a continuation on the same theme. Being ADHD (and dabbling a bit in neurology (just a minor).... People in general , but Women in particular often need to adjust meds (type or dosage) as they age, and as their external lives alter. If its been 20 years on the same meds, with enough outward symptomology that you appear to be on no meds... It's probably time to adjust them. Which can be a daunting prospect... But on the upside... You KNOW meds+therapy have worked for you in the past. While your son has no such faith, as he's never found that for himself. In fact, it may be something you 2 can do together. ______ As far as bad luck... I consider mysf extremely lucky... I have a GREAT life! But also, from what you've shared, my life may be "worse" than yours from an outside perspective. And I know my life is a LOT better than many people's. there will always be someone better off and worse off. Judging our insides, from someone else's outsides, usually only brings suffering (superiority or inferiority, jealousy/envy, etc.).

I am! I love those commercials.

As a VERY recent convert... Take all this with a large grain of salt... But from an outside perspective; 1) Be yourself. It's really obvious to us learning who is 'new' most of the time (come to find!). Each of the missionaries round abouts is amazing in their own way. The ones (come to find part) who have been here the longest are the most "themselves". They're not just quoting, or lecturing, or (trying too hard). They're Shari g THEMSELVES along with the gospel. Interests, family stories, blunders, struggles, hopes, fears. Newer missionaries (I've noticed) tend to try and erase themselves from their message. Make it 100% gospel. In doing so, there's a lost connection. But when one keeps their own personality in play... It's almost magical to watch what happens. The gospel speaks for itself. But the connection happens between PEOPLE. 1.5) I love love love the gospel. That said, being newish, a lot of the newer missionaries get sent my way. I cannot even count the number of times they've 'lost' me and my eyes start glazing over. Ahem. I'm also a teacher. So what I (sneaky) have them do (to preserve my sanity), is I hijack the lesson. I ask them about their favorite parts in the gospel. Thing IS, once they get going in THEIR favorite parts... Their "voices" return. The energy. The excitement. Then I loop them back around to whatever lesson is supposed to be being covered. Usually still using the same scriptures that are their favorites. Pick a topic, almost any topic, and its in ALMOST every chapter/verse. Better an imperfect verse with spirit behind it, than a 'perfect' verse I can't hear, because my brain turned off and started drooling because the vivacity is gone. 1.7) Expect us to do obnoxious things : Like hijack lessons. 2) Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence. -Robert Frost 3) expect total cluelessness. As an example an OMG!!! thing was shared with me fairly early on investigating and the conversation went like this; Them : "So'n'so took all the missionaries to a strip club!" Me : "And....?" Them : Jawdrop & sputter See... I'm thinking : 19 & 20yo guys. Makes sense / sounds like a fun evening out. So what happened? Did someone get drunk/ broke/ hurt/ robbed/ etc.? I was in the USMC @ 17. A strip club to my frame of mind being the setting for the story (like a park, or Starbucks), not the story in and of itself. I was honestly clueless as to what the big deal was. NOW, my jaw would be on the floor and my hands to my face along with everyone else's. Then? I've been in strip clubs on the phone with my gran in Thailand (strip clubs always have pay phones), dashed in to borrow baby wipes when traveling and Im out and everything is closed (strippers should own stock in baby wipes. No new mom uses more baby wipes on an average day, than an average stripper), been in countless clubs for many reasons. (note: Im a girl). I look like (because I am) a volvo driving soccer mom, who never swears around kids, is a teacher, etc... But I served in the military, and wasn't raised LDS. My frame of reference is VERY different. Being a teacher, I've found MOST Volvo driving soccer moms, when they let their hair down... To be just as salty as I am as far as their history goes BC "before children'. Meaning LDS culture shock, ever when 97% of everything is what we already believe/ do... Is still huge. The stripper example is one amongst hundreds of culture shock type things... Where Mormons are raised one way, and non-LDS are raised totally differently. 4) We don't get 'missionary rules'. Sometimes, even when we know them. It's just not intuitive. The sheer number of times "my" missionaries had to grimace and say "Have I mentioned how much I miss music?" (Yikes! Sorry! As I leap up to go turn off the music I nearly always have playing in the background) is outright embarrassing. And that's a minor thing. Much less the "For my protection & yours" kind of stuff which TOTALLY makes sense the moment you think about it (but doesn't even register until they bring it up. Again. Because we forget. Again. ESP when its hospitality stuff (like : Come in! Or Can I drop you off on my way? Or We're going to go to xyz if you guys... Oh. Darn. Sorry.) The stuff that's just plain good manners in every OTHER situation. 5) Almost (almost! Not all by a long shot.) all converts I know did something missionary-wise that we regret before investigating. Some let the dogs out. Others showed up at the door naked. That kind of thing. So feel free to snicker up your sleeves at sorority chicks trying to sleep with you and cranky people with dogs. Because someday... We're going to sink into embarrassed puddles in the ground remembering some not so stellar behavior directed at some missionary 10 years prior, and wish we could apologize. Profusely. And that the LDS church had a 'confessional' we could go sink into a puddle of mortification in. 5.5) Follow the rules / Practice what you preach. For saftey PARAMOUNT, but also as a part of the whole converting by inches. Our Mission President spoke on Sunday... And one of the things he shared was that our of over 600 converts he interviewed... Only 7 had never had any contact with missionaries prior to "their" missionaries (the ones who finally duct taped them, threw them in the van, and baptized then ; ). The rest of us had had some to a LOT of contact with missionaries. One thing I, and others I know, and the 600 some the MP referenced ALL had to say was the respect we all had for the Constance of Mormon missionaries. LDS missionaries (unlike many others) IN GENERAL follow the rules/ invite not threaten/ don't lose their cool/ are totally respectful/ you don't see breaking the rules a couple hours later or in passing. Even when I didn't agree with xyz rule, and ESP when you could tell the mussionary wasn't too keen on it themselves ... That they manned up and followed the rules ... Gets a lot of respect. It might seem counterintuitive... ESP when someone is trying to get you to bend or break them... But that Constance is rewarded. Promise. ((Um. It can also save your life. Seriously. In ways you won't even know.)) ----- Lol... There's more, I'm sure. But this is long enough (since it was book length an age ago), and I still haven't gotten my ironing done, and I have a meeting with the bishop tomorrow. Feel free to snicker up your sleeve at me everytime someone is obnoxious to you. Believe me, I deserve it.

To ME... Time is like a library full of books. Each of the storylines is chronological, but I can flip to any page. Edit. Rewrite. Just read So time exists, both I. The story, and in my reading... But they are 2 different variable sets. All times, continuously and concurrently. Every spirit, with its own book. Every story. Ever. A library the size of a planet. A library the size of a galaxy. Eh. The space it takes up doesn't really matter Nor the time it takes to read. Not when one literally has all of time, and all things in all times. Time and space only matter when traveling linearly.

If you're looking into HS'ing John Taylor Gatto's got some very interesting reading. John Taylor Gatto - Challenging the Myths of Modern Schooling Particularly this short essay "The 7 Lesson Schoolteacher" The Seven-Lesson Schoolteacher - By John Taylor Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year, 1991 - informationliberation A "Truth in Comedy" from "The Bitter Homeschooler's WishList" I kept on my fridge for years for whenever I needed a chuckle Secular Homeschooling Magazine: The Bitter Homeschooler's Wish List And then there's my personal favorite book (which could be alternately titled ADHD homeschool) "Homeschooling; Take a Deep Breath, You Can Do This" Homeschooling: Take a Deep Breath-You Can Do This!:Amazon:Books Best online forum source: yahoo groups. Just search _______ homeschool. (Secular, lds, Alabama/Alaska/Arizona/etc., ADHD/special needs/dyslexic, NYC/Austin/Peoria/aieia/etc, college bound, travel, curriculum, philosophy, ETC. thousands of groups, some extremely active, some not. Most -good ones- moderated. I was on 11 groups for several years. An international secular group about as active as here, down to a local firldtrip group that had a maybe 10 posts a month. Lol, each very useful in their own way. (Rocked getting $150 nutcracker tickets for $6 since 500 of us packed the theatre for a school matinee show!) Lol... And last but not least: Two of the best general info places online Homeschool Diner - Free Homeschool Resources - HomeschoolDiner.com Homeschooling A2Z Home's Cool Curriculum, Laws, Programs, Friends

My grandfather used to lament ALL the time that "Kids have no SPUNK today!" This went along with various diatribes. One of which was about people who didn't hand out candy to kids or older kids (he included 'kids' to mean graduating from COLLEGE or getting married. Whichever came first). "In my day, if some persimmon mouthed stick in the mud wasn't handing out treats, they got tricked, just as promised. Let me tell you, no one likes falling in ghe hole where the outhouse used to be. Just move the sucker back about 6 feet." "Ralph! You stop giving those kids ideas. You're going to get them in trouble." "A man has to be willing to get in trouble defending his rights. One of the rights of childhood is candy, and another is being honest. Trick or treat. That simple. I'm teaching the children to have integrity. Either they get their candy, or don't lie and say 'trick or treat'. Gladys, I know for a fact you soaked mattresses in you day when someone was being stingy. Just you ask her, kids." ((I heard this conversation at least 4 times a year my entire life.)) As a frame of reference, my grandparents were kids turn o' the last century. Grew up to be a thoracic surgeon & surgical nurse. 2 of the kindest people I've ever known in my life, although I didn't realize how special that was. Integrity & Gumption were their 2 biggest laments about "kids these days", and would not stand for any of their kids or Grandkids to be cowed by anyone or anything. "Get your chin up, turn your brain on, and do the right thing. Doesn't matter how many people say its wrong when its right, you stand up for it. Chutzpah. Without it, we'd be nowhere. So find yours." So I trick o treated until I got married, and then I've taken my son every year since then. I was a LOT older than 12 when I got married Never moved an outhouse, though.

ROFL.... Attn Officers: Trolling for idiots when there are only 2 lanes... (by driving 10 under or more, everyone too afraid to pass, so it takes me a million years of "leap frogging" -moving fwd by changing lanes car by car) ... Is just plain mean. Funny. But mean. Although I DID get pulled over once for passing a cop trolling for idiots. Granted, I stuck my tongue out at him.