startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 15, 2011 0:10:35 GMT -5
spruby- we must have posted at the same time earlier. Sorry to hear about your dog, that's so hard to deal with, thankfully a laceration is simple to diagnose and fix so it's much easier. Wilson has been super snuggly today, always climbing into my lap when I sit down. I'll be heading to bed soon and hope I can sleep if he calms down to sleep without whining. financialpeace- yep, that was me! really it's about $500 a year for regular expenses like food, treats, toys, shots and registration with the county. On top of that I have a minimum of $500 in savings for emergencies and that account was up to about $600 (I've been adding more since I've adopted another dog). Thankfully it hasn't been necessary to use more than once a year but if I need to I'll begin increasing. I watched "60 Minutes" on CNBC this evening. One of the segments was about the "Millenials," kids born between 1980-2000, and their work ethic. The people suggested the self focus of many of these kids started with Mr Rogers telling all the toddlers they are special and all of the "participation" ribbons and never being allowed to lose or fail at anything. The show addressed the idea that bosses have to become "coaches and cheerleaders" rather than bosses because these kids will just quit rather do work. It was mentioned that 14% of this age group are currently working. SES- very true, my generation fits this description and most think they are beautiful unique snowflakes. The "cheerleader" model is very true in the workplace, so many people need constant validation to actually get their work done, but the ridiculous thing to me is that in my experience there is so much bureaucracy and bullsnap that working hard and even playing the game doesn't pay off. I know I'm very fortunate to be in that 14% of my age group that is working (although based on the year span I don't think many 11 year olds have jobs). But I've also worked my arse off to prove myself, put in the time, build my business, etc which is something a LOT of people my age will not do.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 15, 2011 8:25:58 GMT -5
They're really using this wide a span for an entire generation? I was born in 84 and feel as though my siblings (born in 90/91) are a different generation than I am... we didn't get cable/internet until I was in high school, for example, whereas my siblings pretty much grew up with it. Same with cell phones. And I hope that the 14% of millenials currently working doesn't include the 11 year olds born in 2000! Hugs to everyone dealing with pet trauma Yesterday was a NSD just because neither DH or I left the house Currently at 10 NSD/CSDs, 4 EOD (today is going to be an EOD, too - lunch with my 39wks pregnant BFF, probably the last time I'll see her before the little guy arrives!) Eating out is proving to be my Achilles' heel...
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Aug 15, 2011 8:49:51 GMT -5
My Grandma passed away last night. We went up on Friday and she recognized us and said hi to all of us. We went ahead and had a little party for her on Saturday (her 90th B-day would have been the 28th and we had a big party planned for her on the 20th). She said her cake was beautiful and said hi to all of us. Then she basically slept Saturday and Sunday she was unresponsive. We went ahead and came home Sunday afternoon.
Ben was an amazing little trooper. He didn't nap hardly at all on the way up. But he held it together until bedtime and didn't fuss too badly at bedtime. We took our moniter and hotel room was on the corner. It was a king "suite", so there was a great spot to put his pnp back in the corner. And a place we could sit in the room out of site. But the weather was so nice we would go outside while he fell asleep. Saturday, we took him back to the hotel and he napped for about 2 hrs and he slept alright both nights at the hotel. A little on the short side, but no waking up in the MOTN. Sunday he was tired, but my gosh did he run around the hospital. He would play nicely in Grandma's room and then he would just take off. The hospital is very small (only 18 beds) and by Sunday, Grandma was one of like 3 patients. So, we'd take after him and let him run as much as he wanted. He'd get to the lobby and then make a beeline for the toys of the drinking fountain. At one point, he found the dining room (which was at the complete other end of the hospital). He slept for an hour on the way home when we first got in the car and then fell asleep 10 minutes from home. Oh at Grandma's party other than he ate the better portion of 2 pieces of cake. He stood at the end of her bed and was playing peek-a-boo with her. I don't know if she saw him or not, but it made me smile.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 15, 2011 9:25:08 GMT -5
I'm so sorry, Muttley At least you got to say goodbye while she was still lucid, I'm sure that made her very happy.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Aug 15, 2011 9:48:53 GMT -5
Muttley- Glad you got to say goodbye to your Grandma. Sorry for your loss. When my grandpa was failing mini-D and Bebo were 6 and 8 months old. They were a big source of smiles for everyone during that time.
Start/Spurby- Hope the fur kids are doing better
This weekend was rough spending wise. Friday we went to out to dinner. Saturday we weren't planning on EO, but mini-D was about to melt down as we left the zoo and was refusing the snacks we had brought with us. So we swung by a fast food place and picked up lunch, I'm counting it as controlled since it came out of allowance money.
Yesterday we did Race for the Cure with my MIL (14yr survivor) and then went out to breakfast. Mini-d didn't go with us since he won't ride in a stroller and wants to be carried when he is tired.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 15, 2011 9:50:53 GMT -5
Update: 6 NS + 7 CS = 13 of 26
Muttley: *hugs* start & spruby: Hope the furbabies are doing okay today. Spruby: having made that decision just a few months ago, I know exactly how hard it is. start: Was the vet sure it was a bite? I just ask because the worst injury Moree ever got came from a chain link fence. He got caught in some loose wire and lacerated his leg down to the bone. It was scary scary. Just thought I'd mention it so that you could go check for the hazard, if its a possibility. kcgal: My parents didn't bother to wait for me to come get my stuff. DH and I bought a house about 10 weeks before the wedding. Forget the losing a daughter/gaining a son stuff, both sets of parents went: We're gaining storage space! Mom and step-dad came in a van, Dad and step-mom came in a giant SUV. Both sets dropped off all sorts of stuff in my garage. And while I am glad to have some of it (the pillows and rag dolls made by my grandma), I did not ask them to store my middle school math trophies, or reports I wrote in second grade. So I'm not certain why those things now need to live in my basement.
Thursday was a CSD because I had to go pick up my anti-virals. Friday was another CSD as we made a quick run to CostCo for bread, bananas and milk. Saturday was a CSD at the Ren Faire. We spent a significant amount of money, but it was planned and budgeted for. Sunday was an NSD. We shopped for the MIL, and went to the dog park in the evening, but otherwise didn't leave the house.
We have the MIL's knee surgery tentatively scheduled for Thurs, Oct 6. It's DH's second week of school, so he'll probably have to miss class that day. He keeps trying to tell me that people have surgery all the time without people in the waiting room, so there's no reason for us to be there. I keep telling him that everyone I've known whose had surgery (including me when I had my wisdom teeth out), the MDs have asked to have someone in the waiting room. And especially in his mother's case, where there will be a higher than average chance of things going badly, I think the MD will want us there. But we'll see, I guess.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Aug 15, 2011 10:03:23 GMT -5
start, spruby - wishing good health and healing to your furbabies
SES, start - I AM a special, unique snowflake, but I'm still going to bust my butt and do my work (money has to come from somewhere). But I also never want my job to define my life. It's my hobbies, passions, and loved ones that make my life worth living, not my job. And I'll work hard to make sure I can keep enjoying those hobbies, passions and loved ones. But yes, they need to stop giving out participation trophies. That really annoys me.
muttley - already said this on facebook, but sending hugs your way.
Had an utterly exhausting weekend at a friend's wedding. fun, but exhausting. mainly because I drank waaaaaay too much and will probably need the entire week to recover. Sat on the couch all day yesterday watching Bones (my new obsession).
It's going to cost $800 to fix the dent on our roof from the tree branch falling on it. Really hoping the insurance company can hunt down the tree company and get us our money back... that's no small potatoes - wipes out our car fund, so not sure where car insurance money will come from next month. Although I guess the $800 could come from the EF, that's what it's there for right? Unexpected expenses... bah. Still annoyed they didn't even bother to clean up their stupid branches. They probably think they got away with it cause it's been a month. But oh no, we're coming for them! mwhahahahaha. Ahem. Sorry. got carried away... maybe I'm still tipsy...
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Aug 15, 2011 10:24:32 GMT -5
SES -- 14% of those born since 1989, these would be 22 years old seems awfully low. Wow.
red -- Ouch on the roof. I'm with you. I don't talk work, now travel I'll talk til I'm blue in the face. I too find it difficult to take money from the EF, even though I have more than 8 months of expenses. I don't know how retirement will work if I don't want to spend my money.
muttley -- hugs on the loss of your grandma. Small children have a way of bringing levity to such situations.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 15, 2011 10:51:13 GMT -5
SES: while I understand what they are saying many of those born in that time frame are between 11 1/2-18 YO. How many of those would be working anyways? I just don't like it when the media squeus facts for their sensationalism. Or at that age many could be working off the grid. If they are 18 they would be born in 1994. So to me 6 years of their timeframe can't be trusted. Muttley: Hugs. Sorry for your loss. Have migraine no fun. Markets are doing better so happy about that. So this year I decided to keep track of all my rewards I am getting this year. Year to date I have received $510. This includes mypoints, mysurvey, inbox dollars, discover cashback/giftcards (This accounted for $350 of it so even without this my total is $160.) Groupon (I minused out what I paid for it and only bought things I needed and would use anyways) and Ebates. I will be anxious to see my total at the end of the year. I know I plan on cashing out even more. If anyone wants referals I would love to help you out. Every little bit counts.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2011 11:14:48 GMT -5
spruby- we must have posted at the same time earlier. Sorry to hear about your dog, that's so hard to deal with, thankfully a laceration is simple to diagnose and fix so it's much easier. Wilson has been super snuggly today, always climbing into my lap when I sit down. I'll be heading to bed soon and hope I can sleep if he calms down to sleep without whining. financialpeace- yep, that was me! really it's about $500 a year for regular expenses like food, treats, toys, shots and registration with the county. On top of that I have a minimum of $500 in savings for emergencies and that account was up to about $600 (I've been adding more since I've adopted another dog). Thankfully it hasn't been necessary to use more than once a year but if I need to I'll begin increasing. [blockquote ]I watched "60 Minutes" on CNBC this evening. One of the segments was about the "Millenials," kids born between 1980-2000, and their work ethic. The people suggested the self focus of many of these kids started with Mr Rogers telling all the toddlers they are special and all of the "participation" ribbons and never being allowed to lose or fail at anything. The show addressed the idea that bosses have to become "coaches and cheerleaders" rather than bosses because these kids will just quit rather do work. It was mentioned that 14% of this age group are currently working.[/blockquote] SES- very true, my generation fits this description and most think they are beautiful unique snowflakes. The "cheerleader" model is very true in the workplace, so many people need constant validation to actually get their work done, but the ridiculous thing to me is that in my experience there is so much bureaucracy and bullsnap that working hard and even playing the game doesn't pay off. I know I'm very fortunate to be in that 14% of my age group that is working (although based on the year span I don't think many 11 year olds have jobs). But I've also worked my arse off to prove myself, put in the time, build my business, etc which is something a LOT of people my age will not do. SES- I was born in 84 and think that it is not exactly accurate, we did not get ribbons just for showing up, at least at my school. I have noticed though my school (private) was similar to my mom's, yet the public education has gone down hill. When I tutored I had to get worksheets from my freshman year of high school for student considered right below English 1A because they did not know how to know a paragraph/essay. As a society we have not just right by that generation. These people are graduated high school without the knowledge that the previous generation had. We need to change that, even if it means kicking out the bad eggs. Now expelling a student just means they go to another school and disrupt that school. Also, I think the 14% makes sense with this economy and that almost half of the group is underage and then some are in school.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Aug 15, 2011 11:25:50 GMT -5
I think it is very hard to quantify a working generation when the oldest of the generation is 31 and the youngest is currently 11. It is also going to be very hard to quantify the end of the generation that will have gone to school under the no child left behind act and the rest of us who did not. I think it makes a difference.
For the record, I was born in 1981 and I don't feel part of either the Millenium or the Gen X generation. I feel more between the two and like I belong to neither. My dad is the oldest of the baby boomers and is not your typical boomer. Hubby is at the cut off between the boomers and Gen X and he is really the same way. Part of it with DH and myself is that our siblings are solidly in the "older" generation and we relate more to them than we do the generation we are supposedly apart of. Of course I'm an engineer and we tend to be a different breed all together.
THank you all for your hugs regarding my Grandma. I do appreciate them. I can't believe she is really gone. I need to have a big ole cryfest, but I'm hanging tough at the moment at work. I still have not heard from my dad when the funeral is. He said we should know by noon. My office manager took DH's suit to the dry cleaners for me. We don't have that much dry cleaning and after our friend's funeral in May DH wanted his suit dry cleaned and I forgot about it. Well, the dry cleaners across the street from my office couldn't guarentee it would be done by WEdnesday morning and the funeral might be Thursday, in which case we would need to leave Wednesday morning. So, my awesome office manager took care of it for me.
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ses
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Post by ses on Aug 15, 2011 11:26:06 GMT -5
After I saw the program, I wondered who was included to get that 14%. Even if it only included the 20+ yo members, that is even lower than the minority employment statistics. It can't be that our younger posters are the only ones of that group who are working. Most 20 somethings I know are working or in school and working part time. I wonder how students and part-time workers were counted in those figures. Midwesternjd- I hear what you are saying about the differences within a generational demographic. I always thought the span of the babyboomers included a wide difference, but as you point out the huge technological changes within a younger generational age group, it is kind of mind boggling.
ETA--I never thought about how the no child left behind nonsense would affect the demographics, but I am sure that will make big impact on students on this group.
I also believe anyone posting here from that demographic group is way more mature than most. Financial maturity is usually very slow to develop in our society.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 15, 2011 11:31:09 GMT -5
I think the topic of education is utterly fascinating so thank you SES for bringing this piece up.
It's fun to see how so many things influenced where I am today, in the 5th grade I was getting a D in spelling. How? I was reading so much that I didn't take time to really comprehend the words, how they were spelled. I kept reading (all the time really) and more difficult books throughout junior high. By 8th grade I was testing at a 12th grade reading/comprehension level. In 8th grade I also started junior college and learned how to communicate with people much older than myself on somewhat equal footing.
I don't remember a lot of "participation awards" and I think in the right context it can be healthy, i.e. we'd like to acknowledge every person who came out and participated today, even if they did not receive a ribbon. It's important in life that you show up and try your hardest and support a team, even if you're not the star.
There was a study and I forget the exact numbers but somewhere north of 80% of teens and pre-teens surveyed thought they were "above average" and expected to earn $100,000 a year out of college.
By college I was entrenched in debate and we were so competitive. It was the first time I was winning above and beyond my peers 90% of the time. So once I found that niche, I had to learn to be gracious when I advanced over a team member in tournament too. Another great lesson for the 'real world'.
I see all of that playing into my business life now but, like redwagon said, I'm not defined by my work but it's got to have meaning and value. THAT's what I think my generation will be known for - we do not swallow the line that if you work hard, go to school, get a degree, start at the bottom, work your way up and put in 40 years you'll get a nice pension, good benefits and have a nice retirement ahead.
We don't believe it. We've seen that system break down and most of this generation is fighting doing what we want with being who we want with having what we want. And something has to give.
Final thought, if you're interested in education systems please check out Sir Ken Robinson and the talks he's given at TED. They are phenomenal. It really opened my eyes to the system and reasons behind school systems and what needs to change.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Aug 15, 2011 12:21:04 GMT -5
While at the SD meet up I was chatting with moneysquirrel. She set up a money plan with her kids and boy were they shocked at where your money goes, especially taxes taking a huge chunk before you even get your money. After childcare, insurance, mortgages/rent it was a real eye opener to most. I really think every district should have a financial class required. Teach the kids how to balance a checkbook or at least keep track online, investing for retirement and how if you invest earlier you will be better off, budgets and how to use credit cards and their repercussions. Same with student loans.
I am thankful I am able to teach my children how to use their money wisely so I am hoping they will be on firm financial footing most of their lives.
MN has applied to be exempt from No Child Left Behind. It seems this lovely piece of legislature has done more to hurt our children then anything else. I also think it is such a shame that we are working so hard to make sure all children get just the basics we ignore those that are the brightest and our shining stars. Then you wonder why we are falling behind in the sciences and mathematics on a global scale. Seems like you need to work both ends.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 15, 2011 12:24:32 GMT -5
I've never understood how they determine generations. I was born at the end of 75, so technically am GenX. But I've never felt like GenX. It always felt like GenX was the people who were in their late teens early 20s in the 80s. I'd been 14 for all of 10 days when 1990 rolled around. But I'm certainly not GenY or a Millenial (or are they the same, again, this makes no real sense to me). But the cousin is part of the group this report was about. She was born in late 1991 and isn't yet 20. No, she doesn't have a job. Most of her friends don't have jobs. They are full time college students. And yes, they don't have realistic ideas about what they're going to be doing when they get out of college because no college freshman does. Or at least I didn't, and none of my friends did. We were told we were getting college degrees, that we'd be recruited, etc, all as selling the college experience. We also had no idea what kind of salary was a livable wage, or what things really cost to buy. Even in college, I remember thinking how flaggers on road construction crews made like $15/hour and that seemed like an amazing wage to me. And, in fact, it was more than I made per hour until I was 28 years old and finally decided I was worth more than I'd settled for making. About 7 years later, I'm making over 2.5 times that. My cousin knows that her dream life is unrealistic. Trust me, she's very well aware. But she's 19. I see no harm in letting her dream, as long as she is also preparing for the real world. Which she is. We talk about finances, about what she can do to pay off her student loans while she's still in school, so she doesn't have that debt hanging over her when she graduates. She's investigated a number of different grants that would allow her to have the travel experience she's dreaming of after graduation and what their application and selection process look like. She's not dreaming of being a millionaire. (Well, other than wanting her dorm to recreate the city of Alexandria somewhere where they can all live, but again, most large groups of young people I've ever had dealings with have dreamed of building their own city/commune somewhere where they could all live.) She wants to own a coffee shop and travel. I'm pretty certain that that's the same dream (or really similar) to the dreams of almost all the kids I went to college with in the 90s.
I guess I have a hard time believing that "young people" are all that different today than they have ever been. Every older generation complains about how the young generation doesn't have the loyalty, the practical skills, or the work ethic that they're generation had. And I really just feel the need to call BS on the whole thing. The world is different than it was when I entered the work force in the late 90s/00s. It is certainly different than it was when people entered the work force in the 80s or the 70s, etc. It doesn't take a full generation for the economy or the work world to change. Kids graduating and looking for jobs now have some advantages I never had, but they also have hurdles that would have terrified me. They may job hop more than previous generations, but considering how little loyalty employers show to employees, why should we expect them to have loyalty to their employer? Yes, boss's may feel like they have to be mentors, but isn't having a boss whose a mentor one the of oldest, most tried and true ways to learn and get ahead? Hasn't someone always had to take the newbie under their wing and show them how its done? Think back to your own first job. Did you go in the first day, know exactly what you were doing, understand all the rules, and were you able to figure out on your own if you were doing it right? Or in those first few months, did you make mistakes, some of them really dumb mistakes, call in sick a little too often, and maybe need a little more encouragement to let you know that you were doing it right? I know I certainly did. And some of those mistakes (like calling in sick more often than I should have) I kept making throughout that first job because it was a pattern I'd already established. It wasn't until I left that job and started a new one (granted one that was a lot less stressful) that I broke my habit of using all my sick days and needing to borrow from vacation.
To me, its just all second verse, same as the first. I think we need to stop worrying about "how the kids will cope" and just let them figure it out, because as a whole, every generation does.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 15, 2011 12:31:01 GMT -5
I've always been a little confused on what timespan is covered by which generation. Thank you, Wiki: Boomers -1946-1964 Gen X - 1965-1980 or 82 Gen Y/Millenials - 1982- 2000? (Weird, I thought Gen Y was 82-95ish and Millenials was after that, but I guess not) Gen Z - 2000+ Same here. My cousin was born in 1980 and I always felt closer to him in interests than I did to my younger siblings. Same with DH - his sister was born in 81, he was born in 83... technically different generations, but not really. Our younger siblings were all born from 1990-1992 and they were definitely raised in a different world than we were. But really, I think 20+ year timespans are too much for a single generation - things change so quickly. DH's grandma is one of the oldest of the boomers (born in 46) while my mom is one of the younger ones (born in 1960). The main difference between their age groups was the civil rights movement and the women's movement, while I think technology is going to be the main dividing point among Gen Y and Gen Z. Most of my coworkers are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. IME there are just as many slackers in these age groups as there are among us youngins.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 15, 2011 12:32:41 GMT -5
I also think it is such a shame that we are working so hard to make sure all children get just the basics we ignore those that are the brightest and our shining stars. Then you wonder why we are falling behind in the sciences and mathematics on a global scale. Seems like you need to work both ends. Okay, this is a myth that drives me crazy. The US is not falling behind in math and science. It only seems that way because the US tests EVERY student and combines their score. NO OTHER COUNTRY does this. In the European school system, you still test to get in to your second form schools (high school, what ever its called). The only kids the European nations test are the kids that got in to the good schools. They DO NOT test every child. If you compare the US test scores of kids in the best public schools (meaning ones with the fewest number of kids getting free lunch/below the poverty line) then our scores match up evenly against those of Europe and other developed nations. As you get to schools with more and more students below the poverty line, our scores fall to match the nations that are also testing students who live in poverty. But because we are the only nation that tests both groups and then averages the scores, well, our totals look funny compared to the rest of the world. I'm not saying NCLB is a good thing, but we can't blame it for our test scores. There is no need to blame anything or anyone for our test scores. Our test scores are exactly where one would expect them to be, if you look at the complete data.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Aug 15, 2011 12:58:01 GMT -5
SS/Sruby: {{HUGS}} Muttleyn: Glad you were able to visit your grandma. Sending prayers for you and your family. Mizbear: Thinking of your too SES: I am all for affirmation (cheerleader if you must) but I think in general society expect accolades for things they are supposed to be doing! I raise my kids to believe they are special and unique and they do get praised for specific things or actions on a regular basis BUT they are also held accountable for things. DD is going to a birthday party on Friday and we had a discussion about what gift she would be bringing and if she would be paying for that out of her allowance or working for it. There seems to be a lacking of balance. It is either one extreme or the other. Granted I was born in 1976 and haven't been in the workforce for nearly ten years, but I do see entitlement in children running rampant from a very early age it is very concerning VENT: I have been up to my eyeballs in putting together training packets for my table leaders in my MOMs group. Anytime I take on such a huge task I start to have doubts in my abilities (it happens when I run, as I raise my kids, being a wife-it is my constant battle) I hear my moms voice telling me I will never be anything and the such and it starts to tear me down a bit. I Love my husband and his support and it doesn't bother me as much as it did when I was younger-but it is still there. I have been stressing about getting this work done and leading a meeting tomorrow and thought it was kind or ironic that our theme verse is Fully Rely On God-so just when I had peace to do so BAM my mom text my pictures of all five of us kids with her (I'm guessing it was taken at my grandmothers funeral six year ago) At first I didn't know who it was and I simply asked 'Who is this?" and she responded 'Your MOM!" I just find it interesting that she always seems to make contact with when I am in a world of doubt. (I haven't had any contact with her in well over a year-and that was probably a voice mail she left on my phone) It was just an emotional day yesterday. I had a race near my childhood home and it just made me miss my dad so much. I still have a ton of work to do BUT the good news is I am up and working and not in a fetal position crying like she has caused me to do in years past! I have a blog post up of last weeks menu plan anotherhousewife.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/1-roast-3-meals-and-the-rest-of-the-week/
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 15, 2011 13:09:43 GMT -5
azmom: *hugs* You are a beautiful and unique snowflake, and you CAN do this. And here's advice from your resident humanist/aetheist: If you have time, take this gift from God and incorporate it in to your training packet. You are trying to rely on God, and when things are good, it is easy to do so. But then little things from the past come up and it becomes so much harder. You certainly aren't the only woman in your group to struggle with this, to hear voices from your past telling you aren't good enough, who sometimes struggles with Fully Relying on God. Your struggles, your ways of turning these moments around could be a Godsend to other women in your group who think they are the only ones. But no matter how difficult it is, you are still finding the strength within yourself, strength you know God has given you. So by relying on that strength, and turning to prayer when it seems overwhelming, you are relying fully on God... Hope this persepctive helps.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Aug 15, 2011 13:21:06 GMT -5
Muttley- HUGS I am just breezing in today. My grandfather would have been 84 today and I just feel kind of down right now even though I know he's not suffering anymore. He's been gone 3 years as of the 2nd. I was born in 76. We got taught gens funny in school. We were taught that the boomers and X'ers were the same essentially- except that the X'ers were only late gen boomers, BUT boomers could be any child born from 46-77 (something to do with post-war childbirth). I don't buy into any of that personally because you will always have a baby boom after any type of crisis- war, financial, natual disaster, etc. I can definitely see a difference in work ethic between myself and my cousin closest in age to me she was born in 78 (we'll leave DB out of this) to most of the ones who were born in the 80 and the 1 or 2 that were born in the 90s. Getting ready to go make keys for the new doorlocks at DGMs house - that's right - new doors! And research an obit at the library- which should take me most of the week since I have to do it via microfiche... Luckily, I actually know how to USE microfiche... You should have seen me trying to explain microfiche to my 10yo niece- she thought it was some rare, expensive species you put in your fish tank!
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Aug 15, 2011 13:25:47 GMT -5
So random thought on generations. I wonder if the millenium/gen y generation has the emphasis so much on being a "special snowflake" because our parents (in general) worked in generic office cubicals with no individuality and they felt their kids deserved better than that. I don't know, just hypothesizing ... which would explain why I didn't get that since my dad didn't work in a cubical. LOL. I heard one thing that generations should be defined by specific events. Specificall that you cannot be apart of Gen X if you don't remember the space shuttle Challenger blowing. There is a lot I remember of that year, but I don't specifically recall that event (or the Chicago Bears winning the superbowl a few days later). Anyway, I got my shopping done. DS has a new suit and it sort of matches his dad's. I also got him a pair of kahkis and a navy pair of kahkis and 2 new polos. azmom - Hugs. You will do a fantastic job.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Aug 15, 2011 13:57:21 GMT -5
Shannen; Are you sure your not a believer I DO believe exactly what you wrote. Main reason for me serving in leadership is to let woman know they are not alone! It is my biggest passion. I do find it fitting that our theme is Fully Rely On God and then given the opportunity to do so in faith! I love how that works out, even if my heart takes a beating! Muttleyn: I remember the shuttle and the bears rather vividly! Two opposite sets of emotions though. I heart Jim McMahon and the Super Bowl Shuffle! Thanks for your words. I'm not to worried about tomorrow, even though I have tons to do. I'll believe God says all you have to do is say YES and I will give you the means and the words.. I am counting on him to do so ----I know, I know that requires my action!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 15, 2011 14:36:51 GMT -5
azmom: I say aetheist because people understand it better, though that's never quite the right word. Humanist is. I choose to live my life as if it were the only one we get, as if this world is the only one there is, and to try and make it a better place for all. That doesn't mean I don't believe in a higher power, it just means that that belief doesn't figure in to my daily decision making. However, it also doesn't mean that I don't respect those who do have a strong and powerful faith. I find faith to be one of the most powerful forces on this planet, and it is beyond beautiful in the right hands. And again, I made an active choice. I believe that in order to do that, you have to know what it is you're not choosing, as well. I can talk the talk of a believer because I have been there and decided it wasn't the right place for me. (Mind you, this means in many religions that I am most definitely going down, as I "knew the truth" and actively chose against it. But I don't spend time worrying about that.) ;D
Muttley: I definitely remember the Challenger, as does DH. And the Super Bowl, though I had forgotten how close they were together. But that also explains the awful, awful joke I remember about the Challenger explosion (kids are great at gallows humor). It almost certainly comes from an ad campaign launched during the Super Bowl.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 15, 2011 18:08:27 GMT -5
I think I figured out what happened to Wilson and it wasn't a dog bite...
Dad installed a gate to divide up my yard and there's a long bolt sticking out an inch or more. it's the perfect height for Wilson's injury and matches the injury. It didn't look like a bite, just a tear. Actually, it looked like a velociraptor swiped at him but that's a little less probable.
Makes me feel better because it's easy to fix, Dad will be here Wed and will fix those bolts for me.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 15, 2011 18:10:10 GMT -5
muttley - hugs on your grandmother - it is great you were able to go see her start - hope your pup is good today my pup - well the doc didn't find any other tumors - but was recommending exploratory surgery to remove the one and see if it is cancerous. we decided not to. it is in such a spot that they might have to break her pelvis! to get it. It isn't causing any problems or pain and there are no others. We are leaving well enough alone. But extra hugging/loving for sure. I'm Gen X and work with Y's/boomers/etc. The thing I see that is annoying to me is the lack of willingness by the Y's to step up at work because there is no immediate upside for them. Example - the summer law school interns were told this year that there was no guaranteed job offer (there could be a job offer or references - just nothing guaranteed). They were "asked" to work late/weekends to support some critical litigation. They would be paid a lot extra. None have other jobs lined up for after graduation. They all said no - it would interfere with their day off! They have all guaranteed themselves no job offer and no reference. Stupid. I understand the idea/theory/hope that your job won't be your life and I am all for balance as I struggle for it. But the reality is that if you don't tend to your job you won' be able to support the life you want. I know someone who is trying to fill entry level/low experience required jobs - but when talking people the Y's,etc - talk about only wanting to do meaningful work and what are their benefits. I work with similar folks who complained about lack of support staff because why should they type a letter. We do a lot of interesting work - but we have to do some crummy stuff to - beats the alternatives. I told my boss once - when you "ask" me to do something I assume you are asking if I either (a) have a conflict of some kinds that prevents me from doing it. Because you aren't asking me - you are politely telling me. He agreed but said others thought they really had the option to say no. I will say this - this is not limited to Y's - they aren't all lazy and boomers aren't all brilliant hard workers. It just seems that Y's - and younger - feel like they have a safety net (real or imagined) to catch them. Most X'rs I know (i am one) - figure there is no safety set and it is a long way down. BTW - I grew up on the Space Coast and the Challenger explosion was like 9/11 - people I knew all can tell you where they were when it exploded and what they were doing. *Chem class, felt explosion, went outside and saw the smoke plumes.* climbing off soap box now!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 15, 2011 18:19:59 GMT -5
spruby - probably a good call on the surgery, I say only if it improves quality of life. Hugs for sure. I will say this - this is not limited to Y's - they aren't all lazy and boomers aren't all brilliant hard workers. It just seems that Y's - and younger - feel like they have a safety net (real or imagined) to catch them thank you, I love these discussions when all involved agree that it's not a universal truth for a generation. I find MANY of Gen Y has a safety net: mom and dad. A friend of mine is a few years older than I am, lost her pharmacy job and has spent the last several years living at home and not working. Now that she wants to build a business she has no urgency. I'm cool if someone wants to live minimally, share a house with 12 people, pay bills and work infrequently to cover those bills. But the Gen Yers who sit at home playing Wii and chatting on their iphones (that mom, dad and american express pay for) whining about meaningful jobs and not selling out ---- THAT drives me nuts. Example - the summer law school interns were told this year that there was no guaranteed job offer (there could be a job offer or references - just nothing guaranteed). They were "asked" to work late/weekends to support some critical litigation. They would be paid a lot extra. None have other jobs lined up for after graduation. They all said no - it would interfere with their day off! They have all guaranteed themselves no job offer and no reference. Stupid. Very stupid. But this makes me wonder how they would know? Students aren't exactly training at school on workplace norms and without a mentor how will they successfully navigate the workforce? Yes kid, socially you may have a day planned with friends but working to support this team will translate into more income, a better recommendation and MORE fun weekends later on when you're not unemployed. Up to you. *shrugs* whether or not they listen, that's another story.
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ses
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Post by ses on Aug 15, 2011 19:52:47 GMT -5
What really makes me sad is that those who have proven their work ethic, returning war veterans, face 13+% unemployment in Gov. Perry's Texas and over 22% unemployment in Bachman's Minnesota, both of whom claim to be job creators. I wish SOMEBODY would develop a jobs plan and get it going! I anticipate the day when we see the kinds of riots England is seeing if we don't get some jobs soon.
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ses
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Post by ses on Aug 15, 2011 20:03:28 GMT -5
spruby/smartstart-- do the interns not have an orientation program to explain these issues? Or do they just have selective hearing and memory? Back in the Dark Ages, when I was in school, during our final Professional Semester we had a Professional Ethics and Behavior class that was required for gradution and therefore professional certification.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 15, 2011 20:10:02 GMT -5
Update: 7 NS days and 3 CS days
Muttley -- My condolences on the lost of your grandmother. I am glad you had a chance to visit with her on the weekend prior to her departure.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 15, 2011 20:12:16 GMT -5
ses - I know our interns weren't told this specifically (in fact I told their coordinator to go back and TELL them what the impact of saying no was - not sure if they did). But important thing - these are LAW SCHOOL students between the 2nd and 3rd year! Even the youngest is at least 23/24 and I think this group is all late 20's. My guess is that since they were told they weren't guaranteed jobs and we are just government folks - it wasn't worth the effort. The sad thing is - even I - a non-lawyer - could get them an interview with a half dozen top law firms in NY and around the country. Lawyers in the office could get them in the door at more firms and with judges, the US trustee, etc. This assignment would have given them exposure to experiences some lawyers don't get till the 2nd or 3rd year out of school! And introduced them to a number of folks directly. And padded the resume! They just saw career feds and wrote off lots of opportunities. It is one of those things where you think it is obvious and you shouldn't have to tell someone - but you do!
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