whoa - and boys can come home having gotten

I own and live in a house in a midwest city in a bad neighborhood (wasn't that bad 11 years ago).  I spent the day waiting for the plumber to come and jackhammer the foundation (slab house, no basement) to find a leaky pipe that is flooding my DD's bedroom. Last week, it was the electrician with quotes for costly repairs.

In the meantime, I've really been thinking about selling out and moving into a mobile home.  Has anyone done this before?  Is a mobile home in a decent park less of a hassle than a regular house?  I'm so tired of cutting the grass and spending $$ to fix things and tired of old flooring and cabinets, etc., that are just too costly to replace.  I'm single with no man to do these things for me and I can't afford a mortgage on a newer house in a good neighborhood.  Some of the pictures I've seen of the mobile homes look really nice and modern on the inside. 

Any advice and comments appreciated.  Thanks!

I used to be able to climb trees and did the iron kids triathelon with them....  

My sister had her child at 42....the only girl outta 7 grandchildren....guess who's grandma's princess?      

proven that circumcision can be beneficial for several reasons, not to mention it is more hygienic.  I was conflicted with my first son because my OB/GYN was against it.  She was African-American and I don't know if it was a cultural thing or what.  She did do my son, but she didn't take enough off, it wasn't her decision to make.  My second son I didn't hesitate. 

My mom said that at 8 days she took my brothers to be circumcised - based on the Bible.

I can't see how it would be called abuse.  I think it is personal choice.  I can't tell you how many reports I've done on men over 50 who have had problems and have had to be circumcised. 

Introducing Teddy!  He's a Schipperke mix, only about 20 lb.  He has a tail, which is very cute and curled, but he's hiding it.  I'm new at photographing black dogs, but I think it turned out okay for a first try.  He's already had a bath and flea treatment with Frontline Plus, because we're in the South and he had fleas. 

--- a tattoo.  I told them they could get the airbrush ones at the beach this summer.  They're saving up.  No permanent ones until they're 18 and they can pay for it.

My sister got one in high school and my parents never knew it until years later.  They were still po'ed.  My fear with real tattoos is hepatitis.  Again, if they're going to do it (which we all know they will), better to have it done professionally.

It seems I can take privileges away from my oldest and it works very well.  My younger one, however, doesn't seem to care.  What does bother him is sitting on time-out.  I read a few books and they say the length of the timeout should be equal to the age - 5 years old then 5-minute timeout.  This frustrates him more because he likes to be in control and when I put him on timeout, he has no control.  I usually sit him at the dining room chair - no TV, no toys.  I use the timer on the microwave, so he can hear it when he beeps.  He knows to push the chair in when he gets up.  If he does something shortly thereafter, I double the length of the timeout.  A few times of this and eventually they catch on.

As for harming the dogs, I would probably keep them in a certain area of the house where I could see them.  At least then you know if he's doing something to them and hopefully can stop him before he really hurts them. 

As tempting as it is, name-calling will not teach your child anything but name-calling.  Taunting him with this is probably not a good idea.  If he continues to lie, I would continue to put him on timeout or take away privileges depending on the extent of the lie and the circumstances.

I know it's hard, but consistency is the key.  Eventually, he will learn.  It just takes some kids longer than others.

I have thought the same thing before, about it being only for females, and found that in Australia it is also available for males.  IMHO, promiscuity is certainly not exclusive to males, but I believe it is more common (at least it used to be), so seems like they are the ones that are more culpable for the spreading of HPV.  It's the whole playboy generation gone wild.

Also, just heard a few days ago about HPV being a cause of oral cancer.  Wondered how long it would take them to make the link.

I live in Georgia and had not heard that it is mandatory for females here, but read that most states that are considering mandatory inoculation and have introduced a bill also have an "opt out" clause.

If I had a daughter or daughters, I do not think that I would be rushing out to have them inoculated.

a Hope Chest also?  Watching my kids this Christmas and with one getting ready to graduate high school, I realized they will be starting out with nothing.  I have 2 boys and wondered if a "Hope Chest" would be appropriate. 

What would you include?  (in removing the Christmas Tree this year, I am packing the oldest's ornaments he has collected over the years for him to have on his first Christmas Tree next year).

Bittersweet!

I cannot possible take one more man bashing post on this board.  How is it possible that no one loves or raises, or takes care of an honorable little or big man in their life!

I have met my share of scum bags, truly disgusting human beings that were women and men and find it appalling that one half of our species would be villified to absolve the other of any adult responsibilities or obligations.