Cindy!

Thanks for the recommendations, ww....I bought those about a year ago and use them quite a bit! The students love them and they really help with remembering data..... Thanks!

Shaz, I got that book True Notebooks....it's GREAT....THANKS!

Excellent ideas and excellent post, shaz....thanks!!!! I've been wading through the internet, but was beginning to feel bogged down in all the useless information and lesson plans that are not right for my student population. Felt a bit more energized after seeing your post and how closely it reflects what I'm thinking of doing with the girls. Many many thanks, gf!!!

As I mentioned in another post, I am teaching at a Residential Substance Abuse Facility for Teenage Girls (ages 13-21). I am teaching FIVE different subjects and am only certified in three of them. If you have lesson plans, resources, experiments, ideas, or anything on these subjects....and you are willing to....please share them with me!!! Here are the subjects I am teaching: US History - US Constitution US Government World Literature Science World History These girls are used to being labeled as "troublemaker" "difficult" "loser" "stupid"....you name it. So any contributions are met with disbelief and gratefulness. Lesson plans, projects, unit plans, resources, worksheets....any kinda educational help will be very appreciated!!!! By them and by me!!!!

I think I've decided on my de-stressing activity....it's actually one I used to do a lot, but when my hands begin to hurt/freeze up, I stopped. Now that I'm on (very strong) meds for the osteoarthritis and experience almost NO joint pain or freezing up....I'm gonna start cross-stitching again. It will be great for the time after lunch when the girls in my residential facility are on recess outside or in the Group Room. They already weave friendship bracelets, so my cross-stitching should fit right in. Heck, they may even start some cross stitch of their own!!! Whatcha think????? (btw Rocky.....that thing I alluded to that you alluded to for de-stressing...oh yeah....it is DEFINITELY a prime de-stressor!!!!! muhahaha)

I have two .... count em....two teenage girls and two teenage boys. The greek translation according to usage, from the original manuscript of teenage girls is: DRAMA....DRAMA...OHMYGOD...FRIGGIN DRAMA!!!!! I am SO not kidding. They actually seem to thrive on it...whosaidwhattowhom....whoiswearingwhatwithwhat....thatgirlfriendandboyfriend splitupBECAUSE....and the list goes on. There is no help for it....it is a phenomenon until itself. However....there is the small voice of reason amidst the chaos...and that is ... the parents. She may roll her eyes, stomp off, tell you that you don't have a clue....but in the midst of all the cliches of responses she will have heard you. You are her parent, you love her, your voice DOES echo into the abyss. Trust that you have raised her right and that in her early twenties she will be human again. Make your voice heard....but do not shove it down her throat My husband and I set this precedent with our teens....we are allowed to express our thoughts and opinions, you (our teens) are to listen, but the final decision for your life rests with you. Use it well. We may not agree with your decision, if we do not....we will still stand behind you (making faces :) ) and support you, but any fallout that results is yours to deal with. We will support you emotionally and mentally, but all else is up to you. Here is our rationale: If we have done our job well...they may make mistakes and fumble about a bit, but in the end, they will recover themselves and be who they want to be. Our job is to love them, be honest with them, but not taunt them with our opinions on the way they live their lives. Bottom line....we are all so stupid sometimes....we should also let our kids make their stupid mistakes without holding it over their heads. Kind of the golden rule, in a fashion. I've seen my almost 18 year old go from a raving b*tch....to the person I raised by letting her make her own mistakes, learn from them, and yet always know she can come to me at any time for the "soft place to land" that she needs. Even if it is in the middle of my work day (which it was, when she called me sobbing). Yet the victory is HERS....not mine. SHE is the one who grew, learned, and became the person closer to who she wants to be. This is a time of transition for teens....it hurts us as parents to let them go, but it is a healthy hurt. If you show your teen that you believe in them.....that will work worlds of wonders in their hearts and you can watch in silent pride, wonder, and awe as this magnificent person makes his or her way into the world.

Some good ideas...thanks! Hubby and I just got back from one of our FAVORITE de-stressing activities....no, it's not that...really.....is the gutter where you REALLY keep your mind??? (grin) We go fishing almost every Sunday...we take a mini grill and fixings along and fish for most of the day. It is so relaxing to be out in the sun, together, pulling in some fiesty fish. We've made many a meal out of our catches and we both come back SO refreshed. Of course, once winter is here....that will not be an option....hence the "fishing" for new de-stressing ideas. My new job....forgot to tell you...I am teaching in a residential substance abuse facility for adolescent females ages 13 - 21. It will also be where I will do my internship for my masters in mental health counseling. (you have to go through all these sessions and clearances yourself before being able to work with these girls....counseling, lots of counseling and all kinds of drug and alcohol screenings.....it's great!!!! They even caught Listerine on one of the girls in my new employee orientation group....though I think they were just teasing her....) It is more than four times the money I was making at the job I started in September of last year and the people I work with are fantastic. (I no longer have to hide how twisted I am.) <evil grin> I love the girls.....they have some impulse control issues, some boundary issues, and lots of problems knowing what to do with anger....but I wouldn't be doing anything else even if it paid ten times what I am now making. Most days so far have been good....challenging, but good....there was a day when one of our girls tried to run...that was kind of intense...took over two hours to get her back in the program at an emotionally functional level. Hence the search for de-stressors....I've always enjoyed cross-stitch....and reading...but with all the reading for the masters degree (classes start again this week), I won't WANT to read anything extra!!! So thank you very much for your suggestions....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep them coming!!!!!

A very simple act of kindness, a walk along a park walkway, and a young lady recovers something more than money....the gift of a stranger. Way to go, excie!!! You are da best!!!! That young lady will remember this simple act and tell her grandkids and others about it...which might prompt... A very simple act of kindness......

Steve! sent me this....he says it reminds him of him and me.....he would be the "I" in this song....enjoy!

I need some ideas on some activities that can help a person with stress. I have a new job that is going to require that I find some outlets.....I LOVE to read....but with being in a masters degree program, my reading time is usually delegated to assignments from classes (though I DID get some trashy reading in this summer while off from work and school!) What I need is something I can do to help with stress while I am working full time, going to school full time, and having a husband and kids full time. I LOVE to cook...in fact my kids and I have an ongoing challenge of finding recipes for each other that we don't think the other person can do.....and then doing it! However, I need a few other de-stressors for my new current job. Any suggestions?????

I scored highest as a Helper, Motivator, and Leader, with my largest negative as Peacemaker. Velly interesting.... If they knew the job I now have, I would imagine the scores would change in a big way.

Nothing so grandiose as a Japanese restaurant.....I was 13 when we moved away, so my palate tended toward the Beach Road Chicken House and Sonny's Barbeque. There was also a german restaurant on Jacksonville Beach or one of the other beaches, but I can't remember the name. But where was the Japanese restaurant?

WB, I am emailing you some classroom approaches that have worked with building critical thinking skills in students. There is nothing like hands-on techniques for students! Have fun! Cindy

If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida area and would be willing to do me a favor (for which I will compensate you), please email me! I spent 13 years of my childhood in Jacksonville and there are two restaurants that I remember with great fondness. What I would like is to send containers, someone picks up my pre-paid order, and mails it to me. I will pay you to do this (especially with gas prices the way they are now). If you would not mind helping me out with this, please email me at: chindy004@yahoo.com Thank you!!!!

The only bobble head involved is my future son in law's.....just kidding. To be honest....we didn't BUY the cars ourselves......we told our kids a couple of years ago that we would match whatever they saved for a car.....so Kat paid $700 and we paid $700.....and we'll do the same with the other kids. They pay their insurance, tags, gas and upkeep, she already has the money saved for that....that she earned herself..

We *sort of* took your advice, Chas....we bought Kat a 1999 Intrepid, it was a steal at $1400!!! It's a great car, runs well, and she's already named it!!!! It has a great cd and sound system, remote start, and power EVERYTHING! Here's pix: Pix were taken at the house of the guy who sold us the car. He had two ADORABLE little boys, one of them took a shine to Kat.....he was about 4, white blond hair, bright blue eyes, and kept coming up to Kat and saying "Fas baw....wan see my fas baw???" The he'd throw the baseball and Kat would exclaim about it's speed. He was toooo cute!!! Jess is next, she gets her first car in September! Best thing is....no payments!!!!! YAYYYY!!!!!

Yeah....that's what we're doing....buying Jenna Hager's car.....yeah...and Morgan Fairchild is gonna deliver it to us....yeah....with some champagne and roses....yeah.....and a red carpet and an orchestra.....yeah.....that's the ticket.

This week we are buying one of our daughters (Kat) her first car and in two months, we are buying our other daughter (Jess) her first car. We are looking to spend about $2000 per car. (cash, no financing involved) Kat wants a four door with a CD player (if possible)....she's favoring Nissan Altima, VW Beetle, Saturn, dodge intrepid-type-cars. Jess wants a Saturn....but any two door coupe would do, although a 4 door is preferred. If you or anyone you know has a good vehicle for sale in the chicagoland area.....please email me or Steve! My email: chindy004@yahoo.com Steve!: stevelwall99@yahoo.com We thank you and our daughters thank you!!! Beware....the road is about to become a whole new extreme sport for the rest of us!!!!!!! (nah....they are very good drivers)

Ever had a boss that even when you left the job, you still stayed in touch? Well....this wonderful man was my boss for two years, he was the principal at a middle school I taught at....until my english support postion for an Illinois standardized test was changed to a math support position (I'm not certified in math, but the change was logical and needed.) We stay in touch and he just emailed me about some "rotten apple" students, while stating that most of the kids are GREAT. I know I've heard and seen some FUNNY rotten apple jokes...but am terrible at remembering them. Can you help???? I'd LOVE to leave this wonderful principal laughing out loud at his computer (his and my humor is very similar). Thanks! Cindy!

Thanks for your replies, I posted in the About the Way forum how the presentation went and a copy of the packet I gave out. Thanks again!

HUGE thanks to all of you who posted on my cult recovery thread(s) and who emailed me with your comments and your personal stories, I really appreciate the courage it took to do that..... The presentation was two weeks ago, but I haven't had a chance to post since then.....Here's what went on.... I gave them all a packet with info on cult recovery and some of the posts and emails I got (I took out any identifying info) Steve! went with me as my "show and tell" They asked a lot of questions and really listened to what I read that ya'll had to say. The presentation went very well....I was the next to last person to present over the weeks in class, and here is what my professor wrote to me: Great research Well organized Excellent Articulation Very Informative Good Understanding of Diagnosis A-One Treatment Plan The best presented in class thus far. My grade was an A I uploaded a copy of what I gave out during the presentation, if you'd like to see... Again....MANY THANKS!!!! oops....JUST realized the attachment below was my rough draft.....the final draft is smoother and has a bit more info on it....I'll try and find it and post it, but with a seven hour class tomorrow (Saturday), it might be a while... Cult_Recovery_Presentation.doc

Thanks Chas, I appreciate your input. As I mentioned in the post above, for this particular diagnosis, I've gotten three opinions and approaches to treatment. All I'm really after here is info on the condition....but I've got that now, too! I contacted a few arthritis organizations and they were VERY helpful!!!

Thanks polar bear and RR for the posts and advice! RR...I NEVER accept a diagnosis unless I have at least two (in this case, three) medical opinions. SO....anyone know anything about osteoarthritis??????? It's treatment, progression, etc???? I've looked it up....but would like to hear info from folks who have experienced it or are close to someone who has experienced it. Please chime in!

I was just diagnosed with this TODAY......does anyone have any info., treatment options, experience, or any other thing with this??? If so, please share!!!! I have a lot to do....and no time for the pain that endeavors to limit me every day. My doctor has prescribed some meds....which I begin tomorrow. Any ideas??????

Does anyone know where to find statistics on how many cults there are and how many people join them? Been looking all over and no luck..... Thanks!