I've been in scouts for 11 years and am a cubmaster now.
Posted By: cubmaster on 2007-05-21
In Reply to: pinewood derby races - rant - mtstudent
The Pinewood Derby is supposed to be a help-your-son event, but you are right to rant about some adults being overly involved. I've seen very, very sad little boys whose fathers don't let them help in building at all.
Some of the things that we've done in our pack to help prevent this are:
1. Hold a Pinewood Derby building clinic(s). We get some veteran derby builders (usually dads) to come out with tools to help the boys design and build cars on a Saturday a couple of weeks before the race. Most of the work is done then, and we have stations where the boys and their adults learn about design, then how to make the axles and wheels perform better, etc. etc. By the time the clinic is over, the boys usually only have to finish painting and install their wheels.
2. We hold an adult race where there are no rules. This sometimes ends up to be quite a hilarious race.
3. Awards should be given in lots of different categories that have nothing to do with how well a car performs on the track.
If you think that these ideas would be helpful to your pack, why not join the Pinewood Derby Committee for next year to help plan and have more of a say. Usually packs are dying for volunteers to help out.
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My son was also in scouts . . .
and we were completely exhausted trying to keep up with all of the meetings, the den meetings, the outings, etc., etc. He actually did not even learn that much from it. My daughter learned a lot more from the laid back atmosphere of girl scouts than my son did. It was too rigorous and too structured. I think boys join scouting because they think it will be fun, when in all actuality, it is a lot of work . . . don't make him do it I think you will regret it.
I've been like that for 30 years
I sometimes fall asleep at 8 p.m., wake up after an hour, then can't get back to sleep until midnight.
Other times, I'm awake until 10 p.m., sleep until 1:30 a.m., fall back to sleep by 3:30 a.m., only to have to get up at 4:30 a.m.
And then there's the "no wake" pattern. Get about 4 hours sleep and feel great, but then I can't stay awake during the day. I'm in that mode now.
I have never taken anything for it, never even thought of it, but the suggestions below has given me some ideas. I'm no spring chicken (even though I usually feel like one) but lack of sleep is really beginning to wear me down.
I've been looking at them for years.
We have a very long house (75 feet long) and it takes forever for the hot water to get to the spigots and shower. We must waste 2 gallons of water before it's hot.
They have been on our wish list for years, planning on getting one for under the sink and one for in the bathroom that is at the one end of the house, but just haven't been able to afford them yet. 
My brothers were in Cub Scouts
and did pinewood derbys. My Dad helped and so did I actually. I think it is supposed to be a family event, but I'm not sure if it is for church that the same rule would apply. It does give some cars the upper hand when family members help, but it was actually encouraged in Cub Scouts.
I've been married 20 years, and
I can usually figure out a way to motivate mine. He does take after his stubborn mother, but ve haff vays, hehehehe.
We've been married for 22 years and
I've had my own checking account for the last 15. It is so much easier, IMO. In fact, he just recently opened his own separate checking account over the summer. So we have our joint account, which I rarely touch, and we each have our own.
And I agree that Christmas is for everyone. I'm as bad as the kids on Chrismtas Eve, as far as not being able to sleep. It's my favorite holiday. We get to see my whole family and DH's whole family and spend time together. Love it. In fact, it's my year to cook dinner for DH's family and I'm so excited.
I've been divorced now for 5 years and have....sm
recently started dating, if you want to call it that. Things seem to be a lot different now when it comes to "relationships." There are 2 men that I am interested in and 1 of these men is more interested in me than the other one. Do I follow my heart or do I follow my head? They both have positives and negatives, as we all do. I just don't want to make a bad decision that I may later regret. I know this is not a lot of info but I have heard "follow your head" and I've also heard "follow your heart, no matter where the road may lead." Help!!!
I've been married 21 years.
I really think God picked us for each other, and that happiness will not be found with another as long as we both shall live.
It's not that we never squabble or fuss or have the occasional day where we almost pretend the other doesn't exist. But I know that the only other person I could stand to spend this much time with would be my twin sister. These are the only 2 people I can be completely open with, be myself with. When it's good, it's really great.
We have furkids only.
I've been married 13 years and
I would never allow my husband to tell me who I can and cannot see. If I were you, I wouldn't bring it up to him until closer to her visit. As you said, who is he to say where your sister can and cannot go. As the time approaches, a week or so in advance, I would simply tell him that your sis will be in town next week and you are planning on seeing her. If he throws a fit, let him. It seems to me, he gets away with this because you let him.
If the situation arises where he becomes intolerable, perhaps you could spend the night at sis's hotel room catching up. Let him stay home. It's his loss, but it doesn't have to be yours as well.
Really? I've been doing this over 12 years and never had the problem before nm
x
You've been married 15 years
and you've put up with it for 15 years. There's really no reason for him to change, is there? You've allowed him to do this to you.
Sorry to be so blunt.
Unfortunately we've had to do that for the last couple of years
We really wanted to go on expensive family vacations, but we have a rather large credit card bill that we're trying to pay down so we decided no elaborate vacations until we can really afford it.
My sons have been in Scouts for some time now...sm
My youngest (11 years old) was in Cub Scouts for about 3 years and crossed over into a newly chartered troop. My oldest son (17 years old) joined the troop also, mostly out of necessity (we needed his warm body in order to have enough boys to charter). My youngest loves it and my oldest is kind of lukewarm about it. I have also been a leader at the pack, troop, district and council level for over 4 years now. We are basically a scouting family and love it.
With that said, however, I will say that scouting is not for everyone, and everyone does not get out of scouting what is there for them to learn simply because everyone is not interested in learning those things or because of poor leadership within the scouting unit. In your case, it sounds to me as if the latter may be true.
You didn't say how old your son is or how long he has been in scouting, but it sounds to me like he has a very poor leader if he makes them camp this way. Some overly self-glorified scout leaders try to turn scouting into junior Army training which is not what it is meant to be. If there is another pack or troop in the area, you might consider changing and see if that improves his scouting experience by a new leader and better camping conditions. When we camp, each boy has his own tent (can be bought at Walmart for about $15) and we always have a campfire in a designated fire ring that burns pretty much all night. Each boy is safely enclosed in his own tent that zips up which greatly reduces the chances of spiders, snakes, bugs, etc. Of course the boys have to be trained to keep their tent flaps zipped closed at all times so that nothing gets in.
My advice from a scouter's viewpoint is to talk to your son and then you and your son and husband talk to the scout leader and see what can be done to improve the scouting experience for your son as well as the other boys in the unit. If the leader does not want to chanage his ways to more closely follow the scouting ideals, then find another troop or pack to join. Sounds like there is a LOT of room for improvement here.
Here is a link that may help, too. http://netcommish.com/askandy.asp
and yes, they are first year Boy Scouts/campers (sm)
There is no Webelo-First Year Scout transition program or person that I am aware of.
I've had my checking with WAMU for years -
I just called a couple of days ago and it was obvious their calls are now being answered overseas. It took so long for them to understand what I was calling about, I ended up just hanging up and doing it myself on line. I'm thinking of switching or at least complaining. It's a disappointment.
I've gotten them all up for years, including the hubs. Should have
s
we've had our squblles/differences over the years...sm
but we still speak to one another at least 2-3 times week...I live 1004 miles away from them...We talk about everything and nothing...What's for dinner?...Have you poked your spouse in the eye with a sharp stick yet?...How's Mommy doin'?....Kids, animals, politics, music, lots of trivia...
I miss the 3-part harmony and team cooking especially during the holidays.  Cat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wiVkdVPGoY
I used to let it slide, but I've been married 23 years.
Probably about year 5 or so, when we had children and she felt it necessary to comment on my mothering, I finally just gave it right back to her. She has four children, and the only one who turned out well was my husband, and I'm quite sure it's because he spent a lot of time away from home when he was growing up.
She lives just down the street, and now that we know where we stand, we have no problems.
I've had DirectV for years and love it. sm
AT&T recently offered me a free year of Dish, but I turned it down. I'm happy with DirecTV. Love my TiVO, too!
You've waited at least 5 years too long already.
Your boyfriend has the best of both worlds and has no reason to marry you. If you stay with this person out of "love" I guarantee you will look back on your life one day with deep regret.
More concerning is that you say the other man is able to take care of you. Is that what you're looking for, someone to take care of you? You can't expect another person to make you happy or to validate your worth; it can only come from you.
I think your biggest issue is lack of self-esteem, and if you learn to love yourself the question about your relationship will answer itself.
In 35 years of MTing, I've NEVER made
was while being paid hourly as an on-site MT. Now that I'm paid a lousy 8.5cpl, my income is closer to 20K/year.
I've lived here for 25 years, a transplant from the NY area.
 I live in the "burbs" like the other poster, but if you have a choice, go to NY!! It is WONDERFUL this time of year. The crowds are what make it New York at holiday season. Rockefeller Center, Radio City, and all thos wonderful things. I lived close enough to NY that I could hop on a train and be there in 15 minutes. I miss New York - lots.
Hang in there! I've been cigarette free for three years now...SM
It is definitely one of the hardest things you will ever do, but it is also one of the best things.
Check out this website and follow your progress and what happens to your body as time goes on without cigarettes. It is encouraging. http://healthbolt.net/2006/07/19/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-stop-smoking-right-now/
DON'T join this site, but just do the first step of registration to see how much $$ you will save and how many days you will add to your life by quitting. It is very interesting. I used to have another site that gave this same info without having to join anything, but I couldn't find it, but this gives you the same basic info, but only do the first step in the registration process. https://secure.quitnet.com/
Again, hang in there. YOU CAN DO IT! You will start feeling better within a couple weeks.
I love that I can smell so much better now and that I don't stink like cigarettes. I find it very nasty now when I smell a person who has just smoked, which is something you can't smell when you are a smoker. Yuck.
i've had mine for almost three years, still works great sm
i leave my monitor on all the time, but it has a "sleep mode" after so long. it's a Dell. actually the whole computer system has been great!
Hey trose, I've had many yard sales over the years and have
seem some pretty surprising stuff go on, only to watch people battle off and jump in their "fancy" cars. I've had people set a whole pile of stuff in front of me and throw a 5 at me and try to take off knowing that what they had cost more. I had one lady say "quarter?" over and over and over trying to buy two folding lawn chairs and I kept saying, "NO." She finally gave up and left. I've had people steal right out from under my nose and jump in their "fancy" cars and take off. I've had a whole "family" of Mexicans pile out of a very nice van and converge upon my yard sale with one person trying to keep my attention while their family members steal whatever they could from me. When I saw a one of the kids stick an X-Box game in his shirt, I told him he had to pay for it and he tried to walk away. When my husband came up on the boy, the father tried to start a fight with my husband. My neighbor called the police and when they arrived they had the adults and teens in cuffs and the children in the back of a unit. Turned out they were illegal and were arrested and hauled off and then a tow truck came and got the van.
I haven't had a yard sale in a long, long time.
I've been to Branson a few times. Haven't been in several years
tho. Actually, it's been 13 years. My son was 3 and we did Silver Dollar City and a couple of shows. We also did that duck boat thing. I don't remember what it was called. But it's a boat that drives on land and you drive it right into the water.
I know Branson has come a long way since the last time I was there. So I'm kind of excited!
in the last few years, I've stayed at Flamingo, great location, in the heart sm
of the strip, right across from Ceasars Palace. Rooms are very, very nice and reasonably priced. Also stayed at Stratosphere but it's located on the north end of strip, I compared it to a Motel 6 and didn't have any hot water for the 5 days I was there BUT there is a great IHOP next door. Stayed at Ceasar's but IMO not worth the $$. A long walk thru casino just to get to the elevators. I stayed for a week at a "condo/extended stay" hotel which had a kitchen, etc. was a block off the strip - unfortunately have to stay at least 6 days but it was nice because there were no slot machines, very family oriented, could walk to Aladdin. Anyway I book all my travel thru Expedia and the package deals are the best. I went for 3 full days, air fare from Fla, hotel (Flamingo) and rental car for $250 so I really suggest looking online. The hotels give out coupons to half price magic shows etc. They are ok but what's great w/Vegas is that there are a lot of freebie shows and inexpensive places:
1. Red Rock Canyon - $5 per car, 13 mile scenic drive. It's 15 mins west of the strip.
2. Bellagio water show, every 15 mins starting at 8 pm, free.
3. Volcano eruption at Mirage, every 30 mins starting at 8, free.
4. Treasure Island, pirate show, every hour or so, starting at 7, free.
5. Sigfried/Roy Secret Gardens, $15 per person, up close to their beautiful tigers.
6. Top of Stratosphere, $8, see Vegas at night, also at top is roller coaster.
7. MGM, at 10 am let lions out to room in clear cage while you gamble nearby, free.
8. Fremont Street. Old Vegas, downtown, 4 blocks long, closed off to traffic (Cris Angel sometimes performs on the street). The most amazing light show done to music, every hour starting at 8, free.
9. Flamingo. They have flamingos and penguins outside near valet parking, free.
10. New York/New York. Roller coaster inside/out $8 to ride. Look around inside if never been to NY.
11. Paris. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, $15.
12. Mandalay Bay, shark reef, $18 per person.
13. Luxor, pyramid shape casino, go in and look around.
14. The Wynn. Most expensive to build, $4 billion, absolutely gorgeous inside.
Places to eat - I avoid eating inside the casinos as I can't afford to pay $25 per person for a buffet. Across the street from the Wynn Casino is "Fashion Mall" which is 2 stories, top floor has about 20-25 places to eat, very inexpensive.
Renting a car is very inexpensive compared to trying to walk everywhere or take a taxi or the "monorail" which is broken half the time. Getting around Vegas in a car is very easy, of course that's my opinion.
Hope this helps.
My husband is 7.5 years younger. Been together almost 20 happy years...nm
nm
My feelings; people shacking up together for years and years
and then all of a sudden deciding to get married don't need a thing, obviously. A shower should not even be given. I lived with my now husband a while (nowadays who doesn't!) before we married and I also had been married before years ago but he was not....so of course HIS mom wanted a shower. I told her absolutely not unless it was just the immediate family, his mom, sisters, etc, more like a celebration/get together. And so that's what we did. Showers are tacky, period. Unless it's a couple of young kids getting married straight out of the house and that doesn't happen much anymore.
Been with a man 13 years older, now with a man 4 years younger.
Younger is better, at least in my case ;)
Sorry, meant 75 cents. Still, that was years and years ago.
xx
I studied to be a scopist years and years ago
Back in the early 1990s I took a course called Note reader Scopist. They read court reporter notes (those long skinny papers that looks like a cash receipt) and types them into documents. I had found the course through something called At Home Professions but just didn't finish it because it was too expensive for me. But I am familiar with them and even found my book from the first course I took. Looking back I think it would have been a blast if I had kept up with it.
It is definitely legitimate. A lot has changed since the early 90s, so I'm not too familiar with the industry now. I do remember what was really weird was it didn't take a lot for me to learn it. For instance I could look at a line of court notes and see something that looked like: NV p srn - and I seemed to know exactly what it said. Just weird. My DH used to say that I understood it because I was an alien and my ship crashed in Roswell. HA HA HA Anyway...that's what I know about it. But if you Google note reader scopist or at home professions i'm sure you could probably find a lot of info.
I have been vegetarian on/off for 35 years, was vegan for about 5 years sm
not that hard. Right now, I am having so many issues with food allergies and celiac disease, having to give up nightshade veggies...nothing left to eat. I am eating some meat now, but not when the gastroparesis sets in!
Being vegan is not hard...unless you are a celiac. This is how I figured out the celiac part because so many of the meat analogs and vegan packaged foods use gluten for the protein and I got really sick from it. I gave up all the premade things and the whole grains with gluten and I was fine.
There is vegan and then there is VE-GAN. By definition, vegans don't wear, use or consume anything that is derived of animals...no leather shoes, most shampoos and toothpastes are off the list, as are deodorants. No wool or silk. Anything with soap usually has animal byproducts. It is very involved and rather difficult to do.
Giving up meat, eggs and dairy is no big deal, except for cheese. You hear that ad about "comfort proteins" in a baby formula and there is such a thing. Mother's milk, be it human, cow, goat, whatever...contains a chemical that triggers the release of endorphins in the brain so that feeding feels good in more ways than one. The purpose of this is ensure that the nursed young want to nurse and thrive. Human milk has a lot of these, so does cow's milk and cow juice triggers the same reaction in the adult human brain. Cheese is concentrated milk and therefore these chemicals are also concentrated. As a result, cheese is an addictive substance. This is the hardest thing to give up when going vegan. Vegan cheese substitutes are nasty and they don't melt. If a dairy-free cheese melts, it contains casein, an animal protein and not vegan.
I studied this years and years and years ago
Most definitely is legitimate. In the late 1980s I studied to be a note reader scopist through a group called At Home Professions. I loved it, but unfortunately could not continue due to no funds. It was reading the court reporters notes which looked like a grocery receipt with a bunch of letters scattered on it. The weird thing was I found it extremely easy. For instance I would see a line that looked like: av e cr, and for some reason I would know what it said. My DH told me that's because I'm an alien and my ship landed in Roswell. HA HA. Well I know that a lot has changed, after all it's been over 20 years since I took the first course and know a lot of it is computerized now, but it is most definitely legitimate and I've heard people like to do it. I think I remember one of the courses was in medical terminology and another course was in legal terminology. Should be able to find a lot of it on google, or maybe go to your local college if they offer it and talk to an instructor.
If you've got one, you've got bunches!
How do ya feel about cats? That's what I'd do...get a cat...but I love cats and love it when they bring me 'presents' of dead varmints.
If that's not an option, and you're not comfortable with baiting, glue traps, or that sort of thing, it'd be worth it to hire a professional 'cridder ridder' or exterminator. Those things will chew up your walls and floorboards like you have no idea and cause incredible amounts of damage. Good luck in your jihad!
I've done this 12 yrs and I've had to take breaks sm
Took a break and worked at my kids preschool one year, worked at a hospital one year, took a couple months off once. It does burn you out because it takes all of your concentration. When I worked at the hospital as a secretary I could not believe how easy the job was ;-) I was sooo used to just getting paid for actual work that when I had a conversation with a coworker or a phone call or took lunch, I felt like I was getting away with a lot! I hope your break works out!! I wish you lived close-by, we could take turns watching each others kids ;-)
This has happened for years and years, where have you been?
Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles, and on and on. This person is acting very normal like the age she is. You would have to have been under a rock to think differently, like this was an abnormal behavior....
Lost my mom 23 years ago and dad 18 years ago.
My son was not even 1 when my mom died....she was only 50. My dad died at age 59. So even though I feel your pain....I would have been very grateful to have them into their 80's. I guess we take what we get and be thankful. Sometimes it is hard though.
I was married for 13 years and 2 years
after my divorce I met the most incredible man. He was also divorced, we both have 2 kids, and though we are not married, we have been together for 9 years. They are still out there, you may have to go through a few marginal ones before you find him, but they are out there and available.
I've been using...
Zicam severe congestion. It gives me temporary relief and I've been taking Singulair, but originally nasal discharge was clear, this morning it was yellow (don't mean to gross anybody out). Could it have turned into a sinus infection? And if so, is it time to see the doctor??
I've tried that...
I've done that along with changing my diet but still no relief. I just received an e-mail saying to try vitamin E which is what I am going to try next.
Thanks a bunch.....
I will try that too, I've had enough of this...sm
where to I go to do this, remove IE7 and reinstall IE6.
TIA
oh yea, we've been through that one . . SM
My husband is the type of person that avoids conflict, does not want to face it, because if you pretend it's not there, it isn't, right???? Yea. He was in counseling for a while, but never went back after a few times. He really felt like last night was a punch in the face, like it's a game or something . . . like if you look the part, you ARE the part.
I've been there...
Hang in there...
I have one, but I've only had it for a day
I definitely can't do more than a minute on it, as it REALLY targets my inner thighs. I can really feel it working already, but I don't know what the benefit is going to be to everything it states, i.e. thighs, abs, back. I did a lot of research before I bought it and the only negatives I found were about ordering it through the company's website. So, I ordered it through QVC and saved a lot of money. Plus I received it only 3 days after I ordered it with no extra shipping charge.
A few I've seen....
The Wedding Date
Must Love Dogs
In Her Shoes
The Family Stone
In Good Company
What's the most you've ever won? sm
How did you win it?
I've with you on that! --nm
nm
LOL, I've seen some of those!
 I admit it, I must be a pervert 'cause I think it's hysterical.
I've been on it
now going on 3 weeks and love it. I never use up my points and am always full. Best thing is you can still eat the foods you love. I only purchased the starter kit and did not join. I feel better and have lost weight and best of all I'm never hungry. But, like everything else, 1 diet doesn't fit all. I've tried Nutrisystem, Adkins,Right Size Smoothies, and Medifast and they didn't work for me. So far WW has worked. Also, you don't have to give up the "cool ones" on this plan.
me too - I've been doing this for over 9 (sm)
Same problem, and it doesn't go away overnight. Mostly my right (pedal) foot. Is yours?
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