schneeballe

I know it's not really a sad-sounding melody but I just think that the words are really nice and sort of capture some of what I would want to convey. Please let me know what you think or if you have any other suggestions that aren't too depressing. Thanks so much! Here are the lyrics so you can check out:

"Kind & Generous"

You've been so kind and generous

I don't know how you keep on giving

For your kindness I'm in debt to you

For your selflessness, my admiration

And for everything you've done

You know I'm bound...

I'm bound to thank you for it

You've been so kind and generous

I don't know how you keep on giving

For your kindness I'm in debt to you

And I never could have come this far without you

So for everything you've done

You know I'm bound...

I'm bound to thank you for it

I want to thank you

For so many gifts

You gave with love and tenderness

I want to thank you

I want to thank you

For your generosity

The love and the honesty

That you gave me

I want to thank you

Show my gratitude

My love and my respect for you

I want to thank you

I want to...

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

My husband received an e-mail from a woman who he knows from a self improvement course (similar to Landmark forum). I have met her a couple of times at different events. My husband has met with her for coffee as he was raising financing for a company and she had some leads for him. I think he met her along with the third party. A few weeks ago after they had met, my husband told me an update about her that included her breaking up with her boyfriend, her daughter was temporarily taken away from her by social services because it was suspected her former boyfriend was involved in gangs and they want to make sure she isn't as well. She just asked my husband to lend her $700 for some bills. My husband, when I asked him about it, said that he told her not right now but his e-mail reply said that as soon as he gets some expected cash in, he would help her. I have never suspected anything between him and, as far as I know, my husband is a man of integrity who just wants to help someone in need. Am I being unreasonable to be questioning this situation and thinking that this is somewhat inappropriate? Do you think that this suggests an inappropriate relationship between them or a level of closeness that I wasn't aware of?

Thanks!

Below is an excerpt from Dr.Laura's blog. Dr. Laura is always all about putting your children first so I wasn't suprised to read this but I can't say i disagree. What do you think?

"Forget gender and race. I’m frankly and sadly caught in the dilemma of having to balance policy versus example in touting a candidate for the office of the First Family. I was ferociously attacked (what’s new?) when I spoke out strongly against Bill Clinton’s dalliances in the Oval Office. That situation quickly turned into a debate whether “private has anything to do with public.” Nonsense. Role models are very important. Children and young adults look to those who are visible and successful as a road map of what is acceptable behavior and emulate those actions over the morals and values their parents and churches have taught and tried to reinforce. It’s a tough go these days, when the “bad that men or women do” is used for entertainment purposes without judgment, or is excused because of political or financial considerations.

I’m stunned - couldn’t the Republican Party find one competent female with adult children to run for Vice President with McCain? I realize his advisors probably didn’t want a “mature” woman, as the Democrats keep harping on his age. But really, what kind of role model is a woman whose fifth child was recently born with a serious issue, Down Syndrome, and then goes back to the job of Governor within days of the birth?

I am haunted by the family pictures of the Palins during political photo-ops, showing the eldest daughter, now pregnant with her own child, cuddling the family’s newborn. When Mom and Dad both work full-time (no matter how many folks get involved with the children), it becomes a somewhat chaotic situation. Certainly, if a child becomes ill and is rushed to the hospital, and you’re on the hotline with both Israel and Iran as nuclear tempers are flaring, where’s your attention going to be? Where should your attention be? Well, once you put your hand on the Bible and make that oath, your attention has to be with the government of the United States of America."

Hello,

My mom's divorce to a man who she'd been dating/married to for over 20 years just went through. I hadn't really been in contact with my stepfather during the process because I wanted to be neutral and didn't want to be drawn in. For the past few months I've been talking to my stepdad almost every week and my husband and I have gone out for dinner with him and his new fiance. He and his new fiance are very happy and I am very happy that he has found someone new. So how do I introduce him....

my stepdad (wouldn't that offend his fiance?)

my ex-stepdad

a good friend

uh, that's all I can think of! How can i be politically correct here?

Thanks!

Hello,

My baby is 11 months old and I am trying to wean him b/c I have to have hernia surgery in mid-June and obviously can't have the anaesthetic while nursing. He has never fancied a bottle and drinks some sips from a sippy cup but I don't think he'd get a full feeding from it. He doesn't seem to like formula too much so I will try cow's milk or goat's milk when he is 12 months. I can always postpone the surgery...not like it has to be in June...I just sort of thought I'd be done nursing by then but he doesn't show any signs of wanting to quit. He is my 4th so you'd think i'd have a better idea of what to do but didn't have this issue with my others. Any ideas? Thanks!

I just wondered how I can help these two issues from more of a problem. I am in week 3 of a new running clinic (walk 2min, run 3 min) and today my IT band on one leg was bugging me at the end and my shins were sort of hurting too. My shins were also a bit tender to touch afterwards too. My shoes are new but I have worn them for 4 runs before this with no issues. Any ideas or advice? I am a fledgling runner so any advice is very helpful indeed! I would really like to make it through to the end of this clinic (9 more weeks). Thanks again!

I just joined a running clinic and although I haven't run much before, I did run or do elliptical machine at the gym. Why does this seem so much more difficult? We are only up to like 3 minutes running then walking for 2 for 10 intervals. The three minutes seems to take forever!

Thanks!

My mom has had several suicide attempts over the years and has always been a heavy drinker. One time, she was down in Jamaica and the hotel owners called us and said she trashed the room and was going "crazy". She would call us from Jamaica in the middle of the night and talk nonsense. When we tried to tell her it was time to come home she would say "F-You, you M-F-ers" and that in itself was so unsettling coming from my mom. She was committed for 30-days a couple of years ago. She always denies she has bi-polar and of course, the psychiatrist will not reveal anything to us so we are left to guess. Alcohol alone, depression, or alcohol/depression wouldn't cause strangeness like this would it? She won't talk about it at all so you can't have any communication with her about any issues. What do you think?

I am constantly frustrated that North America seems to always be miles behind the EU when it comes to issues like this (PBDEs, phthalates, chemicals in personal care products). Besides writing my political representative, is there anything else I can do? Ideas?

i.e.

REACH is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use . It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances.

The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances. At the same time, innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry should be enhanced. The benefits of the REACH system will come gradually, as more and more substances are phased into REACH.

The REACH Regulation gives greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals

I am constantly frustrated that North America seems to always be miles behind the EU when it comes to issues like this (PBDEs, phthalates, chemicals in personal care products). Besides writing my political representative, is there anything else I can do? Ideas?

i.e.

REACH is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use . It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances.

The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances. At the same time, innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry should be enhanced. The benefits of the REACH system will come gradually, as more and more substances are phased into REACH.

The REACH Regulation gives greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances.

I just wanted some opinions from some parents whose child has been in either of these types of dance. What did you like/dislike about them. I think she'll only be able to do one or the other this fall and I'm not sure which one to try. She has done a couple of preschooler ballet classes and liked them however she's seen Irish dancers on a Wiggles show and always asks to try Irish dance classes. Any feedback? Thanks!

What websites do you love (not interested in hearing about your favorite porn sites tho)?

Hello,

Just wondering what, on average, you spend on children's loot bags. My daughter is turning 5 and we are having 10 kids. I am trying to keep the price in check but I don't want to buy a bunch of junky toys and candy to fill up the loot bags. I was thinking of art pad, crayons, lollipops (all natural ones), and a few chocolates. Or the other idea was little beanie babies with a few candies. The party is at an art center where they will be having an art class so that's why I first thought of the art stuff. Do you have any suggestions/ideas?

Thank you!

I feel like I am stretching every other day or so but I never seem to become more flexible. How much do you have to stretch to gain flexibility?

Hello,

I am joining a group of moms to take a running clinic and start running together in April. I have never been much of a runner and usually just walk or go on the elliptical machine at the gym for cardio. I have had problems with my IT band (iliotibial band) when running in the past and especially hiking downhill. Is there anything I can do now so that I won't have that problem this time? I have a couple of months....so should I stretch/ strength train? Thanks very much!

There are so many different activities to enrol your kids in these days. Just wanted to know more about these organizations, what they do, and if your child has had a good experience with them. My oldest is 4 yrs old so I guess she'd be joining Sparks first. Thanks!

I have an enameled cast iron pot but it's too small.Can I use stainless steel?

I just want to know if it would effect the taste or just the look of it? Pearl onions just seem time consuming to peel...I can't seem to find the frozen ones.

I am making coq au vin for the first time so any tips are appreciated!

I have been watching CNN to see the debates and coverage but I don't understand this. I am Canadian so our system is different but i'd like to understand this. How are they different than a regular delegate and how do they become a super delegate? Thanks!!

I posted this in another area but didn't get any replies so I thought I'd try this area. Anyway, I am still nursing my 8-month old but am wanting to lose some baby weight. I know some of the programs you can't use while nursing (Herbal Magic, Dr. Bernsteins) but just wondered if there are any that you can do while nursing and how effective they are? I am not too into the prepacked food thing either just b/c I have never been into convenience foods and besides, I have to cook for my family anyway, might as well all eat the same thing. However, if a particular system worked really well for you, I would probably consider it. Thanks for the insight!