Give 'em a swish in the sink. If concerned about color running, try with 1 stem or leaf first. Or

• Anyone have any ideas on how to clean artificial plants, flowers? - Nancee
  • Plant wash - sweatsnsox
  • Use a blow dryer - mtqueenB
  • With artificial soap and water?? - nm
    • Cute! lol - none
  • Give 'em a swish in the sink. If concerned about color running, try with 1 stem or leaf first. Or - dust w/a toothbrush outside or in tub. nm
  • I simply wash most of them in the - bathtub!
    • Me too, the detachable shower massage comes in handy! nm - jade
    • Give 'em a shower! sm - mlstoo
  • I saw this on Martha Stewart....you pour salt into a paper bag - me
  • i can't right now think of the name of it to - mtx3

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So, I'm writing this as Obama crows about reversing the ban on embryonic stem cell research.  A lot of people in the crowd who know nothing about the science are screaming and applauding.

Whoa.  Hold on for some facts.

 First, embryonic stem cell (ESC) research has been going on full-tilt-boogie in other countries throughout the whole period of the US ban against using (new) lines of ESCs.  So, ummm...where are the miracles, please?  Adult stem cell therapies are already being used to treat over 70 diseases. Adult stem cells are much better for therapeutic purposes because they are already differentiated into the different tissue types (liver, nerve, etc.) and as such are much more immediately applicable.  As one scientist said, "When you have a liver problem, you need a liver stem cell, not an embryonic stem cell".  If you start with an embryonic stem cell, you have to first coax it into becoming a liver stem cell (if you're treating a liver disease, for instance) anyway...so what's the point?  The logic is difficult to escape, no?.

Second, embryonic stem cells show a marked propensity to develop into all kinds of tissues - including malignant tumors - and don't know the difference.  At least one patient injected with ESCs in Great Britain has died of cancer as a result.  No doubt, this scientific fact will be labeled "un-scientific".

Third, most embryonic stem cell collections are contaminated and unusable.

This does not mean that ESCs have no scientific value.  Blood, for instance, has been produced from ESCs.  However, there must be protections against the potential risk of sacrificing embryos in order to harvest ESCs, and there are ways to provide such protections.   Given the aggressive pro-abortion actions of the man who has already become known as "the Bloodiest President", we can have no confidence that this administration, which is indifferent to human life,  will protect these nascent human beings.

Why then, you might ask, are all the pharma companies screaming for joy?  Because, like the rotten science behind global warming, ESC research is an industry, and more precisely it is an industry that commands huge amounts of federal dollars.  That's what Obama was announcing today.  And, you don't have to produce any results to receive these dollars, either.  All you have to do is propose a research project, however improbable it might be, and here come millions of dollars.  It's the same reason state governors and bankers and auto company executives dance attendance upon Obama, kissing his ring - it's worth $millions and sometimes even $billions per pucker. 

My husband and I got tired of the kids coming to the kitchen a bunch of times during the day and each time grabbing a new glass to drink from - even after we asked them to pick a spot on the counter to keep their glass at and rinse it out/wash it after every use.  Previously we'd end up with the dishwasher filled on the top level with glasses every day.

I went to Target and found different colored plastic tumblers.  I bought a tumbler for everyone in the household.  At supper time tonight I put all tumblers on the table and told everyone to pick their favorite color.  After this was done they were all told this is now their color to use, and they're solely responsible for their tumbler each day, and are to rinse/wash it as needed throughout the day.  I then went to the cabinets and proceeded to pack up all but 4 glasses we have in the cabinet - and those 4 I've moved to the very top shelf.  They know that if their tumbler is found outside of the kitchen the problem is solved of "who left the glass on the living room table?"  None will be allowed to wonder to bedrooms or they'll lose their tumbler and have nothing to drink from but a small juice glass.  If we have company they can use the 4 glasses on the top shelf.

This should work and we'll no longer have dishpan hands!

My 9 y/o son tells me that a boy on his bus (we'll call him Joe) who my son doesn't like him because of picking on kids i think, had been suspended from school for pulling a knife on someone.  This boy is in the 5th grade.  I asked the bus driver about this and she said yes he did do this but "Joe" wasn't the instigator it was the other boy who said to "Joe" that he was going to kill him and I don't know what else this other boy said.  So this other boy was suspended for the rest of the school year.  Now, should I be concerned that the school didn't let us know anything about this incident, or am I overreacting?  I don't know the whole story, but this "Joe" rides the bus with my kids and supposedly pulls a knife on someone.  That worries me.  So I just don't know if I should say something or not. I'm glad the school suspended the boy for the rest of the school year.  It's just kind of scary, this is elementary we are talking about and it's K through 6th grade.  The bus drive said they are supposed to be "hush hush" about it.  Obviously it got out somehow because my son told me about it. 

Thanks for listening and any input you might have.

the bussing issue and the younger kids being exposed to the older kids.  My kids have learned so much.  I'm not saying they don't watch TV, but I monitor what they're watching.  My kids watch primarily Disney and Nick.  My younger ones certainly didn't know about sex until they changed the bussing issue.

While childcare is an issue for a lot of other parents, fortunately for me I work from home.  I actually don't mind sleeping in an extra hour or 2.  My concern in this regard is the fact that they're tacking on all these extra days at the end of the year when it's hot and we don't have central air for these kids.  I know that we didn't have A/C when I was a kid, but the weather has changed a lot since then.  We actually had to dismiss early last year because of the heat. 

I really think that this superintendent has too much power and is making changes that the parents are not in agreement with.  I know there is a school board election, but I don't know much more, like when the elections are, etc.  What's the timeline for school board members, i.e. how long do they sit and when are they elected?  Do they have to be re-elected or do they get to stay on until they decide to leave?  Is there a parent advocate to help mediate some of these situations?  I don't usually get too involved in the small-town politics, but I think it might be time to at least go to the meetings and see what's going on.  I don't want to wait until it's too late and then sit back and complain because I didn't do anything. 

Thanks for responding!

because he is drunk 99% of the time I get to see him. It's a Merry go round we can't seem to get off. Every day ends for me with a drunk SOB picking a fight and every morning starts for him with me being PO'd at him for whatever he did the night before. The rest of my life is actually great. I have great kids, a career I love, lots of family. There's potential for wonderful life for me and the kids if I could just remove the daily alcoholic part.

Trust me, I've supported DH for 15 years. Took him to marriage counselors, begged, pleaded, tried to be understanding. This last year we risked our financial well-being to support his dream. His end of the deal was he'd have something to work for and wouldn't drink anymore. He's still drinking, and we're still waiting to see the outcome of his dream. Luckily, he and his partner just refinanced under the new corporation and we are able to pay back all the personal funds he borrowed. I've tried it all. Give him some time to go out with the guys, do activities he wants, take the vacations he wants. Doesn't matter how much I support him. DH is a taker, and he will continue to take until I literally have no more to give financially, emotionally, or physically.

It's high time I lead by example and teach my pre-teen daughters that women deserve respect, honesty, common courtesy, and contributions from their partner that contribute to their well being and well being of their family. My biggest fear is my daughter's are just going to repeat the cycle because it is all they have ever known. I am totally at peace with the fact that I have done all I can to support my husband and help him overcome his addiction. Bottom line, can't help those that don't want to help themselves, and I will not sacrifice my children to keep trying.

Is she wearing a helmet that fits?  There are daily accidents with children on ATVs.  I'm sure she's probably not going fast, but an accident can happen even at 5 mph.  If she should happen to flip the ATV, which can happen on an incline at any speed, your daughter could be killed.  I don't mean to sound so grim, but it's something to be aware of.

We have an ATV.  My 3 boys do ride with their dad and do wear helmets, but it's something I wish I'd never allowed to start.  Every time they get on, I feel like I have to hold my breath until they're off.

We have the same situation here.  My husband's stepfather totally cut us off after his biological mother passed away!  I still get blamed, of course the wife!!!  I was left out of the obituary on purpose!  It stinks, and I've gotten past it now, but the stepsister calls with "oh we miss you".  This is a bunch of crap!  After 3 years, I bet all she misses is the gossip and causing trouble!  Cut 'em off!  Cut 'em off!  Let your children know that sometimes their Daddy is yelling because he feels hurt, and that is his way of "dealing".  Sounds like you have a grip anyway on dealing with both your husband and children and that you have a wonderful family right in your own home!  The only other option is to "hash it out", but leave the children out of it!  Hope this helps....  I don't know if it will or not, but your situation really brought out some "hurt feelings" for me personally...  Take care and God Bless.  Hope it all works out... 

So when they get tired of being fluffy, they come here, rouse things up, and then go back and report that this board is childish, but of course that's the pot calling the kettle black now isn't?????? 

I actually would rather be here as there are a lot of different topics and you don't get bashed by the moderator because you feel a certain way!  Go moderators!!  Keep up the good work here on Stars...  Sometimes ya' just want to vent and not have SS up your tailend with e-mails that make absolutely no sense!!!! 

The funny part is instead of them calling themselves miserable, they come over, copy paste and then make a thread out of a borrowed post from here... 

however, not my cuppa tea....