September 09, 2015 - Msg 102611:
RIP Martin Milner, yup, one of the good ones.
One of my favorite eps is when he is injured in the park. Great acting!
Today on Emergency I saw Sweeney the saloon owner! ha ASA- 2/32 is the tire wear replacement depth in these parts. In the "old days" it only took 4 new horseshoes! haha I too have a pick up, and got tires last year from Discount at $200 each! Yikes!
BTW--I reccommend that you also get an allignment. A good time to do it since they have been balanced.
HI GIZMO, hope all is well.
I have a gas oven story that will knock your socks off. One Thanksgiving morning when I was a youngster, my mom went to turn on the oven, but apparently the burner did not light, so my mom got down on her knees and lit a match to do the trick, when POOF!, we heard it from the living room, ran into the kitchen, and the was ma with a black face and sindged hair, but her face was not burnt at all! It was a real miracle! I had forgotten about it til just now with the oven talk. But not long after that my dad installed an electric stove!
Oh ASA, I now use a binder clip on my toothpaste tube, works great.
"Arriba Romeena" ! teehee
MDC
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102612:
I got the boys and Charlene to sweep the porch for ya all!"
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102613:
And ASA, regarding the alignment, get one for the truck too! harhar
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102614:
Asa, I think MeTV... either that, or AntennaTV, was showing Route 66 late at night, about 1 or 2 am. Don't know if they still are. I watched a couple of them, and while I found the stories interesting, I just never got too into the series.
That chicken-flavored rice sounds real good, Romeena! Though I also have never done too much broiling.
Folks, I have to ask for your prayers again. And advice if you want to give it. Seems Kai is having a lot of trouble adjusting to high school. Last week when school first started, she was teary eyed one night and asked me if she could be homeschooled again. While I would love to get her out of public school, I told her I already made a deal with her mom, and to just take it day by day. I thought that she was just nervous, understandably, about starting in a bigger school and as she got used to it she would get better.
Well, she just had a bigger meltdown Monday night, and she came downstairs crying that she didn't want to go back. I talked to her and thought maybe she was ok again as she is usually pretty upbeat after I pick her up from school, like she was today.
Then just tonight she had a big meltdown again, crying and saying she can't do it and all that. Last night I gave her some Bible verses to look up about worry, and I keep telling her to read her Bible and ask God for help, and she says she does.
My heart is aching for her because I do know how she feels because I went through similar things, and in fact, it got so bad that I didn't even go to school for a while. That was in grade school though, and I eventually got over it.
I ended up telling Kai tonight about the h#ll I put my mom through, and she also had to deal with it from two of my other siblings. I told her I am not trying to guilt her, but I do know what she is feeling and that I do know it does get better.
She doesn't believe it, of course, and I had to force her to go to bed crying. I told yesterday even that she should talk to someone, preferably someone from church like the pastor or one of the church ladies, or someone who goes to the school and our church, but also even that she should talk to her "link leader" at school.
She told me she wanted to talk to her mom about it(about being homeschooled again). I advised her against it, as I know my wife would not be sympathetic to that idea because she already has a dim view of homeschooling. Well, since Kai went upstairs crying, my wife heard and went in to talk to her.
My wife came down later and I knew I was right about it and wished Kai would not have talked to her, because I knew it was not going to help Kai's case for wanting to be homeschooled or even just "getting by" in high school if that was what she wanted to do.
My wife predictably launched into a tirade against homeschooling, saying she thinks it "damaged" Kai mentally. She then went on to say that Noah will be going to public school for his entire school career, which I anticipated her saying something like that. Then came the diatribe about my older sister, who has always had some emotional problems and she never finished school but got her GED. My wife said that if Kai needs to be medicated for this, then medicate her, which I am against, but I am increasingly not having a leg to stand on it seems. But my wife said that she WLL NOT HAVE KAI BEING LIKE MY SISTER! I told her she won't.
She calmed down, a little, when I told her that it is only the second week, and I think the extra long Labor Day weekend may have had something to do with her nervousness about getting back into school. She said she could see that. But she thinks we should have a "plan B" in case this gets worse. I don't know what she is meaning by that, but I am sure I have not heard the end of this. Maybe if Kai would shape up immediately and get into the groove of school, then maybe she would drop it. But I am pretty sure that she feels vindicated now about her hatred of homeschooling(and private school) and will be sure to tell her mom about all this, who feels the same way as she does. It seems they think public school is a cure all.
I don't care if Kai doesn't want to do anything in this school except school work, and I told her she should focus on that and forget all the other stuff about going there. I wish and pray that this would sink in and she would realize that she will look back on school and know that it wasn't as bad as she was making it out to be. I really feel for her and know what she is going through, but it really worries me because I want to believe that she will get "into the groove" but she keeps coming back almost every night telling me she doesn't want to go, with increasing distress. She can be fine all day, but she always seems to get melancholy at night.
Looks like I need your prayers too, because this parenting stuff is exhausting and I feel horrible about all of this.
Hey Gizzmo. Nice to see you. Sorry for the drama I just posted. I am not always so down.
-Sterling Holobyte
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102615:
Nice sweeping, MDC!
-SH
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102616:
Good morning gang !..getting settled in here at work..Breakfast at Waffle House on me ! SPOT
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102617:
Morning porch, just checking in for a few minutes. Happy Hump day to everyone.
thanks for breakfast SPOT.
Sterling: Prayers for Kai and you and your family. I hope things get better for you all,
been busy on my end of the porch. since my business partner retired the end of July, I have been busy at work and trying to keep things on track. Since its just me now,I am learning the tax part of running the business. so far so good, just hope I don't miss anything though. Hopefully, ole Maude won't end up back in the Big House for tax evasion!
looks like rain on my end of the porch today and tomorrow. fall is certainly on its way here in Northeast Tennessee.!
better get to working. SPOT took care of breakfast so I will do lunch: fried chicken, potato salad, SLAW, baked beans. chocolate layer cake for dessert. tea, lemonade to drink.
Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102618:
Prayers for Sterling and family, Buddy you guys have a lot on your plates right now, it's tough to know if you're making the right decisions. But God does...
Sounds like Asa needs to take his truck to the auto chiropractor for a "adjustment"...lol
Good to see Maude pop in, hope to see you and Mr. Maude at Mayberry Days again, I made another walking stick for the auction, this year it's a "Goober Beanie" one. Last years one brought in $69... It's getting close, wish ya'll could come!
G-F....
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102619:
Sterling Holobyte, I remember my own transition from 8th grade to high school. Even though some of my elementary school classmates were in the same high school, we were no longer in the same classes. So it was initially a traumatic experience for me being assigned to classrooms with unfamiliar students, teachers and a new bigger building. It was also traumatic for me because the group of neighborhood kids that I played sports with got involved with high school sports and extra curricular activities. But I learned to deal with, and accept, these drastic changes on my own.
Although you asked for prayer help, supplement that by becoming more proactive. In your talks with Kai, have you tried to identify every issue that is causing her to fear this transition? It would be ideal to include mom in on this, but that is up to you. Make a list of specific issues, then discuss each one with Kai. Together, come up with at least one possible way to deal with each issue. If you can't come up with anything, participation in "Tough Love" (http://www.toughlove.org/) will help. Tell Kai not to give up until she tries everything both of you can come up with. And don't give up if a solution does not solve the problem quickly. It will require some time.
You mentioned that Kai should concentrate on her studies and forego extra curricular activities. I'm not sure that is a wise move, especially if dealing with strangers is one of her fears. Humans are social mammals. Her getting to know that those strangers are just like her, and probably just as fearful, will help her develop social skills and overcome her fear of them.
As you and I both have experienced, children can and do learn to deal with their fears and remain in school. Yes it may take time, but learning how to identify and analyze difficult issues will help her as an adult especially when mom and dad are not around to help. She needs to understand that it is not wise to give up too early, otherwise she may regret the consequences of any hasty decisions.
Check out the following web sites for more advice:
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/adjusting-to-new-school/
http://tinyurl.com/q6c5cnt
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/10-ways-child-adjust-school/
Gizmo, it has been a long time since I saw a posting from you. I hope you can add a little more information about what has been happening in your life.
from Poor Horatio
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102620:
Thank you for the prayers, Big Maude and G-F.
And Poor Horatio, once again you provide some greatly-needed links and ideas, as well as more insight into your past experiences. Thank you for that. It is nice to know when someone else has had similar experiences and has come through the other side well-adjusted. I will tell Kai about your experience and advice.
I spoke to our pastor today and he said a lot of the stuff you did, including what you said about extracurricular activities; and encourage her, especially if there is something she is interested in. He also gave me some ideas for tutors if she is having trouble with a particular class(like algebra) and a devotional for her spiritual needs.
That Toughlove organization sounds interesting, and I was surprised and pleased to see them include God in their program. Most of the sites I looked at last night were all secular.
We haven't identified every issue for her fear, but she doesn't tell me everything. And the pastor said this was normal, because I'm "dad". She did mention to my wife last night that she was having trouble understanding algebra, which isn't unusual, in my case either. But that could be part of her fear.
The pastor, who has seen Kai grow up in the Christian school, tends to think while that may be part of it, he thinks probably most of her anxiety right now comes from her quietness and introspection; being in a new, much bigger school and afraid to come out of her shell to try new things.
While the things I have learned today are encouraging, I must admit to some dread I feel at the coming of the evening when Kai tends to get more emotional about it all. I almost think I am going to have to do what I did when she was 5 and not wanting to go to kindergarten. I would sit her down, tell her exactly what was going to happen and what we were going to do the next day. It worked then, and I usually only had to tell her once.
-Sterling Holobyte
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102621:
I should have said, "...to see them MENTION God...". I am not sure how far they go with that to include Him. But anyway, it was nice to see any acknowledgment of God as a help.
-Sterling Holobyte
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102622:
Sterling Holobyte, please understand that Tough Love is a self-help group made up of other parents and guardians who are experiencing troubles with the young people in their care. So you will encounter people of all faiths, and possibly some non-believers.
Although their web site seems to indicate they are an online group now, many years ago when I participated as a concerned uncle, we actually attended meetings in person once a week. And if anyone brought up the subject of God, everyone was considerate with their behavior no matter what their beliefs were.
I read that you identified one of Kai's weaknesses as being with algebra. I enjoyed taking algebra in school. Also, I have tutored a friend of mine's daughter in person, and helped many other students online with algebra homework over at Yahoo Answers. If Romeena has your email address, I can ask her to email you my email address. Then you can send me the problems that Kai is having difficulty with.
As an alternative, I would highly recommend you check out the https://www.khanacademy.org/math web site. It is a non-profit instructional web site. Although you have to register, it is FREE to use (but they do accept donations). Be sure to scroll down that main page to see all the math help they offer.
from Poor Horatio
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102623:
Good afternoon, porch! Finally, I can get on the porch! The power went off here around 4 a.m., and didn't come back on until about a half hour ago, around 5:30 p.m. Fortunately, the outside temperature was only in the very low 80s, so it stayed cool in the house, never got higher than 77°. We've had rain off and on all day, which is really a welcome sight. Just came through another little squall, the kind I just love, where there's no wind, the rain is just falling straight down, hard and steady. That really does some good.
Sterling, the most encouraging thing I can say to you right now is "this too shall pass." Kai won't be this age forever, her fears and misgivings will fade, and maturity will solve a lot of problems. However, what to do in the meantime??? That's the problem. The one big thing I see, and I truly do not know what you can do about it, is that you and your wife are apparently unable to reach an agreement and therefore cannot present a united front to Kai, cannot give her a stable platform to stand on. I happen to feel that high school is a very necessary training ground for life, and a child that's kept in a bubble will have problems later on. Sooner or later, she has to leave the nest, and she needs some experience flying on her own before she does. Without that little "apprenticeship" in high school, college will be a horrifying experience for her.
Be aware that anything I say must be taken with a big grain of salt, because I have zero experience in the area of home schooling. All I can offer is my opinion, and it seems to me that the "test flight" of high school bears less risk than the sudden push into adult behavior that college will bring. It's true that she can be home-schooled all the way, even to the point of getting her college degree from home, online. That's certainly possible. However, somewhere along the line, she needs exposure to and experience with other people, her peers, if she is to grow into a well-rounded adult. You have given her a solid moral compass, you have taught her to revere God and to respect herself, and somewhere, at some point, she has to integrate those teachings into real life.
There's a YouTube video of a mother river otter teaching her very reluctant baby to swim. They are not born knowing how. She literally dragged it into the river, it sputtered and struggled and tried to climb out, but she kept pulling it back and pushing it underwater, until it caught on. Soon it was perfectly at home, and swimming like a champ. A small illustration, but appropriate, I think.
Just stay positive, keep encouraging Kai, and above all, you and your wife must get together and present a united front. Give Kai something solid on which to stand. She absolutely cannot go through her teen year thinking she can play one of you against the other, to make things go the way she wants them to go. One day, she will be living and working with people who won't give one flip what she wants, and none of her meltdowns will work. Then what will she do?
Sorry - I really don't have much to offer, but you have my prayers. Just know this. Kai will reach adulthood, and she will have some scars. We all do. My children do. But - know this about scars. They are typically tougher than the unscarred area around them. --Romeena
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102624:
STERLING--one thing to also consider is that maybe there is a certain teacher(or teachers) that have come across badly. I speak as one who experienced that from the teacher end. I would be pretty stern the first week or two to make sure the students realized that I was not a "pushover", and some kids took it badly. Also, could she be on the receiving end of some bullying? Maybe getting down to specifics as to what is causing the meltdowns may help.
MDC
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102625:
Good evening, Porch
Just wanted to stop in again and give you all a big HI and Hello! Everyone head out to Wally's and get yourselves a bottle of pop. Tell Gomer I'll pay for it. Have a great night!
John Masters
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102626:
Hey John Master and Big Maude. Good to see you both. Maudie, better watch those tax forms for sure. ha I see that SPOT sneaked in there too.
Hope the lights are still a workin'.
Prayers,
MDC
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102627:
STERLING--one other thought, I mentioned about my niece playing badminton a while back...well, she was very shy and nervous at the beginning of her freshman year too, and her dad, my bro, suggested a "light" sport; she tried badminton, and now as a junior, she is really good at it, a real outgoing person, gets the team all rallied to go! So something like that may help too.
Prayers also going up.
MDC
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102628:
It's so nice to know we have a place where we can come for encouragement, support, and advice for any of life's ups and downs. Even though we may be thousands of miles apart, this porch is like an oasis in this wide web they call the internet.
Romeena, I always have great respect for anything you have to say and any advice you give.
MDC, you have always been a good friend and helper. I am not sure if she is being bullied, but I don't think she is, as she probably would have told one of us. As for stern teachers, she did mention that her history teacher seemed pretty strict, at least at first, but she says he is also really funny and she actually likes him.
Poor Horatio, sure if Romeena will send me your email that would be great! Thank you. I don't know when or if we will have a problem that none of us know what to do with(it's probably more a matter of 'when'), but it would be nice to have someone who knows what they are doing to look at it if we do.
Well, Kai actually went to bed earlier than she has been, and I praised her for that and told her that helps in having a clear mind for things she needs to do. She did mention once tonight about "starting to feel bad again." And I told her to just think on the positive things and that her scared feelings will not last forever.
I fear that I will hear her come downstairs, like as I am writing this, and be weeping uncontrollably again. I don't really know what to tell her anymore, because I think I've gone through all I can say. As she went upstairs to bed I also told her to read through the devotional that the pastor had given her, and hopefully that will give her some comfort.
There is an Indian youth group that meets here that my wife found out about, and thankfully, Kai showed some interest in going to it, so we are going to check it out tomorrow. They pick up the kids at school on a bus, and take them home after. Apparently they do studies, play games, and other things til about 5:30. We will find out more about it tomorrow, but I think it would be good for Kai to go to just to be around other students. And the better part is, that she knows some of them. In fact, one of them used to go to the Christian school that she went to, and one of the adults who monitor the goings-on goes to our church, and she is a nice, but tough, lady. She used to be a Marine, and I know Kai would be safe around there with her around.
Kai then asked me if she should join the International club at the school. I said, "Kai, if you really feel like you want to, do it." She's hesitant, so I told her to find out about it, or any other group, tomorrow from her student "link leader", and she said if she doesn't see her, she may just ask a teacher. I am glad to see she is thinking like that, and not just letting things unfold in her life and letting others make suggestions and ideas. Including me. I do want her to be able to think for herself.
Well, God is (still) good. And I need to get ready for bed myself.
Thanks porchsters! And hello John Masters. Thanks for the pop. I'll have a huckleberry smash.
-Sterling Holobyte
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102629:
Sterling, I am thinking that it is your wife that may need medication..hehe...just kidding. *wink* Seriously, though, the stress in your post is palpable! I really feel for you and have been through some stressful times over my children's education, as you know. God has been faithful through it all. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say. I will say a prayer for you and Kai. Just hang on, keep praying and trusting, and the Lord can do more than you can imagine. I was thinking about this today. Consider my Sean. You all have helped me pray for him since he was a little boy and struggling so much with school and his Tourette's symptoms. It was murder, but God is faithful. Look at him now..making As in his automotive courses at the junior college. The Lord opened doors and made a way. Also, I had such a tough time trying with Erin when her private school closed and I tried homeschooling her and it was so hard. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried some more when considering public school, but it has worked out very well for Erin and for our family. Tonight, she invited two of her school friends over after school so we could take them to youth services at our church. One of the girls is completely unchurched and living with her mother, who is without a job or a home. They are living with relatives while waiting to get into government housing. I am going to work on inviting the mom to church because the little girl said she knows her mom needs to come to church. I tell you this because I know God can and will work things out for Kai. Its tough at first but I'll bet things will be fine..I just pray that it is soon. I also ask that the Lord give you peace and grace.
Been a tough week at work. The AC was out in the rehab again for a week and it has been in the 90s here. They finally got it working again yesterday evening. There is no way to open window so the internal temps were near 90, which caused so many problems with the kids. They were getting into fights and I had one girl who started having seizures. Last Friday, I admitted a heroine addict who was already going through withdrawals in a 90 degree room. It was horrid. The poor girl was so sad. She lost her mother in an accident a year ago and started using. I did have a chance to share the gospel with her and she wanted to pray to receive the Lord. I am hoping that eventually we may be able to put her in our Grace House home when she gets out. Remember the home our church started for women who want to stay clean and follow Christ? It is doing well, thank God. I am thinking it would be a good place for her when she turns 18 soon.
Sorry about rambling on. I guess it has been too long since I posted. I better get myself to bed though so I can get up and get Erin off to school. Love to all!
Boo
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102630:
I think we were posting at the same time, Sterling. :)
Boo
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102631:
Sterling, you are right, there are a lot of good and caring folks here on the porch, I was glad to see Boo post on the subject. It sounds like she has and is fighting the same sort of battle. It is a tough mean world out there now, and only with Gods grace and mercy are we a le to get thru. Sounds like it's time to "Armor Up" my friend!... ⚡️👊⚡️
G-F....
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102632:
Thank you, Boo. I was hoping you would chime in on my situation because you have been through similar trials. It really is great how God worked through Erin to bring those girls to church to hear the Gospel.
And you are right, G-F. I don't know how people get through without knowing God's grace and mercy. Seems pointless to me, and probably to them too.
Btw, I think I found the 'b' you are missing in your "able" up there. They are flying around my basketball hoop over the garage.
Ok, they are really hornets, but a bee by any other name....
-Sterling Holobyte
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102633:
MDC.... Stay off Interstate 10!.....Man is that CRAZY!... Why can't those people do something productive, like a 50 mile hike into the desert!.... Just my opinion!....G-F
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102634:
Good morning, porch. Beautiful here today, after all that rain yesterday. However, I can almost hear the weeds growing. Guess I need another "weeding day" with Joe and Jorge.
Sterling, you're so right about the porch. This group has seen me through some rough days (years?) and I'm the better for it. You'll hear a lot of advice and suggestions, there will be some differences because all of our experiences are unique, but God will guide you through it, and give you a sense of what fits and what doesn't. Oh, and there's one more thing. You're not dealing with your daughter right now, you're dealing with a little pile of hormones, and my friend, you don't stand a chance until that settles down some. I raised two daughters, both of them with a fine sense of the dramatic, (can't imagine where they got that!) and there were times I wished I had given them to the gypsies when they were babies. Now, I don't know what I'd do without them. Boys are a little easier in that respect. Not easy, but a little easi-er.
OK, now that I've completely terrified you, I think I'll go on my merry way. Seriously, Sterling, just take it a day at a time, trust God, keep the lines of communication open with Him, and with Kai, and eventually, all will be well. You won't do everything perfectly, but then, who does? Kai will suddenly blossom into a fine young woman and you will have every right to be proud. --Romeena
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102635:
I have no intention of starting a political discussion, but I just have to tell you this. Yesterday, while the power was off, I sat out in the sunroom, where there's ample light. The rest of the house, because it's nine rooms built on a square footprint, is pretty dark when there's no electricity. The living room, which is the central room, is quite dark. The sunroom, however, is light and bright, with two walls being entirely composed of windows, so it's a great place to read. I got in the loveseat recliner and settled back with Dr. Ben Carson's book, "One Nation."
Let me tell you, the man has it together! It's a wonderful book, really holds your interest, and the vision he has for America is very exciting. The question remains whether he has the ability to get done the things he outlines in the book, but we would have to say that about any candidate. Can they, will they, do what they say they're going to do?
So far, he's the only one who has presented a goal, a desired destiny, for America that seems exciting to me. I do believe he will try to make it happen. What I don't know, can never know, is whether he can. He obviously can't do it single-handedly, and I don't know if this fractured nation can come together, and work together, enough to become "One Nation" again. Dear Lord, I hope so! It's the only hope for survival we have.
Anyway, get the book and read it. Whatever your political persuasion, I think you'll enjoy it. He writes in a comfortable, conversational style that's easy to read, and he doesn't belabor his points. He just presents them, and moves on.
Blessings! --Romeena
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102636:
I like Ben Carson...good man, probably a great president.
Boo
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102637:
I hope so. He would definitely be different than anything we've had for quite a while. I know he's intelligent, compassionate, certainly well-educated. He doesn't have a lot of administrative experience, as such, but if you've ever stood in an operating room, with a serious surgery going on, believe me - the surgeon is in charge and he's making hard decisions at times, and he'd better be right. I know, that's not running a country, but then our most recent sitting president didn't have any experience, either. For now, I'm just watching and waiting, and watching some more. And reading. --Romeena
September 10, 2015 - Msg 102638:
I think him making it to the white house is a long shot, but I am hoping. I shudder to think of some of the alternatives.
Well, tomorrow is the anniversary of 9-11. Seems like each year, people honor it less and less. I don't ever want to forget.
Sterling, I thought of you today. Erin had some sort of meltdown/hormone storm and I wanted to pinch her adolescent head off. I calmed down and so did she, eventually, but she ended up losing her phone for awhile. She did finally sincerely apologize but not before putting on quite a show. It sure is hard to not lay 'em out with a right hook sometimes. ;) I know this too shall pass.
Sean is having a terrible time with his auto electronics course this semester. Please say a prayer for direction. He doesn't know if he should drop it now, continue, get a tutor or what.
It rained a couple of times here today and it was wonderful. I was right out there in it..played in the rain with Erin. I will never get too old for that.
Hope you all have had a good day and evening.
Boo
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102639:
I really like Ben Carson as well, and would vote for him in a heartbeat. We could really use a President who is thoughtful, intelligent, and pretty much everything you mentioned about him, Romeena.
You know, I hate to bring race into it, because that is what the other side does and focuses on. But the fact that he is a black man could really waylay a lot of the arguments the left uses to disparage people from voting for another party. I would rather focus on his character, and do, because he has a great one.
You know, Boo, the way you disciplined Erin by taking away her phone, was one of the ways I read about when a child is acting up and doesn't want to go to school. Kind of a reward vs punishment strategy, and making it more satisfying for the child to be in school than to be at home, sans electronic devices. So based on your example, it must work well.
Seems the Indian group didn't meet today, so Kai didn't go to that. I hope they have it tomorrow as I would like Kai to get involved in something. But something she would be comfortable with, and I think that would be a good one for starters.
Romeena, I don't know if you sent Poor Horatio's email to mine yet, but it wasn't there when I last checked, so I am going to post one of the algebra questions here, I hope nobody minds.
I looked up how to do it on the computer, and I had to admit, I don't even know how they got to the answer even by looking at all that. Here is the equation and solution:
Simplifying
9 + -2x = 35
Solving
9 + -2x = 35
Solving for variable 'x'.
Move all terms containing x to the left, all other terms to the right.
Add '-9' to each side of the equation.
9 + -9 + -2x = 35 + -9
Combine like terms: 9 + -9 = 0
0 + -2x = 35 + -9
-2x = 35 + -9
Combine like terms: 35 + -9 = 26
-2x = 26
Divide each side by '-2'.
x = -13
Simplifying
x = -13
Poor Horatio, one of the things that tripped up Kai and I, was where did that second 9 come from?
Boy, I am glad I am not taking math classes anymore. But I am not glad that I can't even help Kai with hers.
-Sterling Holobyte
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102640:
Sorry that Sean is having troubles, Boo. I will say a prayer for him. I think if he really likes doing that sort of thing, and I think you mentioned that he does, I would get a tutor for him.
-SH
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102641:
Hey, Boo. We miss you, since you went back to work. Seems like we just don't see you as often as we used to. Life gets in the way sometimes, doesn't it?
I love it! "Meltdown/hormone storm" - that pretty much says it. Oh, how well I remember those days with my girls. I, of course, never did anything like that. (hahahaha) It's a wonder my mother didn't put out a contract on me. I was nearly nine when my brother was born, so being an only child, I was the queen bee, so to speak. My mom didn't work during those years either, so she just spent time with me. Taught me to read when I was four, and I devoured books like candy. Two weeks into first grade, I told her I wasn't going back to school, and physically fought her when she tried to make me get out of the car at the school! She should have worn me out, but she didn't. She just took me home and stuck me in the bed with no books, and the shades pulled down, and there I stayed, all day. Next morning, I was ready to go to school, but she said I grumbled the whole way about it being a waste of time, "because they haven't taught me anything I don't already know!" I must have been insufferable, just an awful kid.
As for my girls, I had one that would stand toe to toe and argue (like her mother) and give award-worthy dramatic performances. The other would meekly agree, and then go on and do as she pleased when she thought she could get away with it. As for the boys, we had very little trouble with them. I suppose we (unfairly) gave them more leeway than we did the girls, but they didn't have "hormone storms" either. At least nothing that showed!
I remember two occasions, one with each son, that were turning points. In each case, they were older teenagers. One of them smarted off to me one day, which was very unusual. I don't remember exactly what he said, but it was out of character, and very disrespectful. I was shocked, but so was he when his daddy stepped out of the hallway and confronted him. Dale got him by the collar, backed him up against the front door, and through clenched teeth said, "You will not talk to her like that. She is your mother, and equally important, she is my wife! Apologize! Now!" And he did. Oh boy, did he!
The other boy, by then a foot taller than me, one day smart-talked me. I challenged him, advanced on him, and drew back like I was going to smack his sassy face. I wouldn't have, but I was tempted. He looked down at me, his angry face softened, and he said, "Just a minute, I'll get you a stepstool." I cracked up and so did he, the moment dissolved, we shared a big hug, and that was that. In both cases, those events were the end of it. I've had nothing but the utmost respect and kindness from those boys (men) ever since. The girls outgrew their snittiness too, and are my best friends. Time, folks, time. Discipline, patience and time. And humor. Don't forget humor. It will get you a long way.
Okay, I hope somebody has recorded these pearls of wisdom!! (heehee) --Romeena
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102642:
Wow! Now I know why I didn't do well in math! That looks like a foreign language.
I'll get that email address off to you. I apologize, I meant to do that and it fell through one of the many holes in my leaky memory.
Ha! When I wrote above about my mom's solution to my refusal to go to school, I didn't think about how it matched up with what Boo did, but it does work. Of course, when I was a kid, the only electronics we had was the radio in the living room, so the only thing she could take away from me was books, and believe me, that hurt!
I think, and hope, that Dr. Carson's race will be helpful to him in the election. I have several black friends who are so embarrassed by our current president, and have said they will vote for Dr. Carson, hoping he can erase some of the negative impressions. Of course, I have also heard some white people say, in effect, that once was enough. That's discouraging, and I hope that they will rethink that attitude. Race should not matter. It shouldn't be a reason to vote, or not to vote, for an individual. Either way, it's wrong. Race is not what matters, it's who they are and what they're capable of accomplishing. What matters is where they place their priorities. Well, I said I didn't want to start a moulage, and I don't, so I'll say no more, except to say once again, read Dr. Carson's books. "America the Beautiful" is wonderful. "Gifted Hands" will tell you a lot about who he is and how he got where he is. "One Nation" will give you a glimpse of the future of America, as he envisions it. Good books, all of them. --Romeena
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102643:
Wow, what topics! Makes my mom's gas explosion pale to these hormone explosions goings on! Yaw-Za!
BOO- you cracked me up with your "I was right out there in it" comment as I am sure that you know that it is an Ernest T line! Good one the way ya sneaked it in there.
Sterling, what your daughter said about her History teacher is exactly what I was doing. Some teachers near my room tried to be buddy-buddy from the get-go, and by the end of the first month their classes were out of control. (8th graders). I started with laying out my "rules of the game" and how I expected everyone to behave once they crossed the threshold of my classroom, what the consequences would be, etc. And barely cracked a smile the first two weeks. Then I gradually eased up, started the class with a litle joke or whatever, and soon we were playing spelling jeopardy, complete with sound effects, and i rarely had any problems. But as I said above a few times some parents came to my room after school during the first week, and said "my son/daughter says your a strict teacher." I explained my game plan to them, and they usually said Carry on! ha
So anyway, I hope that helps a bit, and i bet that history teacher is doing similar. It works! 17 years in a row! ha In fact, about 20 former students are now facebook friends!
Here's a (scary) thought: a Trump/Carson ticket! ha That would be a real balancing act!
God bless,
MDC
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102644:
Oh yes, on this 9-11-15 let us remember and pray for the families of all the innocent victims that day. It was our generation's Pearl Harbor, but with an enemy who sneaks and hides in every country and cranny of the world! I think of those people hanging out of those windows, helpless!
Prayers,
MDC
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102645:
All those math problems makes my head hurt!
Here is a problem I can understand. http://youtu.be/YtBHJ7Sv7f0
All those "Hormone" stories made thankful those days are gone, but just in time for the Grandkidders to start the "Next Generation" drama....lol
Yes today is 9-11 let us never forget... Mrs. G-F's cousin was on flight 93 and was one of the Hero's of that day. So it is a difficult day fror her family. We as a country ar are thankful for (ALL) those folks rise to action on that terrible day...
God Bless the USA 🇺🇸......G-F
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102646:
Sterling Holobyte, rather than clog the Front Porch with my math explanations, I have emailed you a detailed analysis and explanation of that math problem that you posted in Msg 102639. I'm enjoying helping you out.
Wow, today is the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Folks, not only should we remember the over 2700 people who died that day, we also need to remember the first responders and survivors who have suffered, or eventually passed away, since then after breathing in that polluted air created from the collapse of those buildings. I've read that supposedly over 2500 contaminants have been identified in the analysis of that dust. And some of it was toxic. As a result, we may never know the final total of everyone who died indirectly as a result. And the fact that the terrorists used our own flight training and equipment (planes and aviation fuel) against us makes me even more upset at just how efficient and successful they were.
As for me, I'm glad that I've retired from working in downtown Chicago because I'm afraid that our big cities will always be potential targets for terrorists in the future.
from Poor Horatio
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102647:
Good morning, folks! This is a day of remembrance, for sure. I remember exactly where I was. I had just gotten home from work, fed Sugarplum, and had just gone to bed, almost asleep, when my son called. He asked me what I was doing, and I said, "trying to sleep." He knew I had the TV on, because I always sleep with it on, so he said to put it on a news channel. I did, and was absolutely horrified. No more sleep that day, and I had to work that night! I just lay there and watched that horror unfold, and cried and prayed.
Time passes so quickly. I have three grandsons who were not yet born when that happened. In a few more years, we'll have people voting who have no memory of that devil-inspired attack. We had better be very sure that we keep the memory alive, teach the young, watch the films and talk about it to the kids, or soon it will be just another story in a dusty history book. You do realize that to teens and young adults, anything that happened before they were born is ancient history, and has very little relevance to them today.
Well, off I go to get my hair cut. It grows so fast! I get it cut once a month, and she cuts a full inch off each time. I could have a long ponytail in about a year. Now wouldn't that be cute? A long gray ponytail, swinging behind a wrinkled old face! Hahaha! --Romeena
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102648:
G-F, speaking of math that you can understand, can you explain the following math problems:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8XMeocLflc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2aEfbEi7s
from Poor Horatio
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102649:
.....LoL.. PH.... Exactly!... Now I don't remember... Who's on first ?.... G-F....
September 11, 2015 - Msg 102650:
STERLing and GF--here is another way to look at it,
only you have to cue it up to 4:44.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCpvi4XP3kE
I love Andy's "frustration" here.
Still trying to stay positive on this
fateful day, but also praying about our future.
Love you all,
MDC