Mother Talkers

Weekend Open Thread

by Elisa

Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 05:23:49 AM PDT

Newsweek ran a trend story about ivy league schools lowering tuition and giving out generous financial aid to middle class families. As the experts in the article noted, these institutions ran the risk of taking in only two types of students: those whose families could pay full tuition and everyone else who was forced to take out student loans to obtain an education.

But now that these schools are poised to take in more middle class families, state schools and second and third-tier private colleges will lose their smartest students. Nonetheless, there is a college crunch for the children of baby boomers and less money, overall, for young people to study.

Sex Toys Allowed in Texas: (Editor's Note: This item was corrected.) I did not know this, but a Texas court struck down the state's ban against dildos and "pocket pussies" on, of all days, Valentine's Day, according to Slate. Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi also ban the sex toys.

Phasing Out Plastic Bags: Whole Foods plans to stop bagging in plastic on Earth Day, April 22, according to the Washington Post. It will become the first American grocery store to phase out plastic bags.  

Patrick Swayze Has Cancer: Actor Patrick Swayze has pancreatic cancer, according to USA Today. While it appears that he is responding to treatment, this bit of news left this Dirty Dancing fan crestfallen.

Update On J-Lo's Babies: It is official. Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony did have twins, a boy and a girl, according to People magazine. As expected, they named them Max and Emme.

The new parents welcomed their son and daughter on Feb. 22. Emme was born at 12:12 a.m. and weighed 5 lbs. 7 oz., and Max followed at 12:23 a.m., weighing 6 lbs.

  • ::

Homeless Pets: These are the stories that give me faith the American people will vote a Democrat into the White House. John McCain talks a lot about his military service, but what does this mean for the American family on the brink of bankruptcy and home foreclosure?

Apparently, even our pets are feeling the effects of an impending recession. Low-income families on the brink of losing their homes are abandoning their pets at an astronomical rate, according to Newsweek. The National Humane Society even issued tips on how to find pets temporary homes in the event someone is facing foreclosure.

What else is in the news, MotherTalkers? Have a good weekend all!

Tags: Washington Post, Sen, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, sex toys, dildos, Texas, Whole Foods, plastic bags, Earth Day, Patrick Swayze, J-Lo, Marc Anthony, People, pets, Newsweek, John McCain, foreclosure, homeless, Humane Society (all tags)

Permalink | 74 comments

  • I thought the court (0 / 0)

    struck down the ban, rather than upheld it.

    by Lisa in Austin on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 06:20:48 AM PDT

  • why can't the institutions just lower tuition (0 / 0)

    Why can't they just lower the general cost of attending college in the first place?  Maybe if an ivy-league did that, it would have a domino effect and other schools will lower their tuition as well.  Of course, lowering tuition doesn't sound quite good in the public as better grants for just the middle-class....

    by smurfett on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 07:10:35 AM PDT

    • Endowments? (0 / 0)

      My guess is that it's to do with budgeting. If they have endowments (and the Ivys do, lots of them) those usually specify how the money must be spent (they also usually specify that the balance can't be run down, so it's often legally impossible for Ivys to spend much of their theoretical "wealth," nomatter how flush they look on paper). Giving grants will allow them to spend some of the proceeds from endowments, whereas lowering tuition would mean it would stay in the bank. I expect there's also a tax issue.

      "You're never more alone than when you're alone in a crowd."

      by Expat Briton on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 07:33:35 AM PDT

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  • I'm sorry... (0 / 0)

    "pocket pussies"??

    Just wanted to say that I miss my little online community, but I have jury duty.  :(

    Where else, but in L.A. will you serve jury duty with an actor??

    by gloria on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 07:35:35 AM PDT

  • I don't worry re: schools losing students (0 / 0)

    There are only so many places in each class seated in the Ivy League schools.  Thousands of kids--very, very smart kids--get waitlisted or rejected from these schools every year.  They will still end up going to these other schools, and most will have a great college experience.

    by Exurban Mom on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 08:17:36 AM PDT

  • Compost Class (0 / 0)

    I'm thinking of signing up for a compost class.  Our local resource recovery agency is sponsoring it.  It's three 2 hour sessions exploring composting food waste and vermi composting.  After completion of the third class, participants receive a backyard compost bin. The fee is $10.  Sound pretty good to me.

    by music teacher on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 08:38:12 AM PDT

    • I love the idea of compost! (0 / 0)

      Be sure to ask how to keep animals out of your compost pile.  We have neighborhood critters (possums, birds, rats) that eat anything sitting right on top.  Then we got a dog and caught him climbing into the pile (over walls and such) and eating rotting potatoes, etc.  Gross!  We had to stop adding to it because we couldn't keep animals out.  The class sounds very good, you won't be left wondering after 6 hours of information gathering and demonstrations.  You'll be the resident expert!

      by MsMarvel on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 08:46:52 AM PDT

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    • $10 is a good deal (0 / 0)

      The bins alone cost a lot more than that.  Kind of hard for me to see why it takes 6 hours, though.  

      I love my compost bin.  It takes away the guilt of throwing away vegetables we didn't eat in time.

      by mamacita on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 08:57:34 AM PDT

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    • I love composting!! (0 / 0)

      I don't use a compost bin because we have such a small back area (I must do this gardening thread this weekend!), but I use a bokashi bucket, which processes scraps via fermentation. No odor, no problem with pests, and it works very well in a compact area. Plus, the "nutrient tea" that comes of makes a fantastic plant food. You should see my flowers and tomatoes! The only downside is that you have to keep buying the special fermented bran that processes the scraps; that's about $15 for a bag that lasts about 6-8 weeks. But it's worth it to me!!!

      by Rachel on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 03:51:28 PM PDT

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    • I did this when I lived in Southern Calif (0 / 0)

      sponsored by the local city. It was a fun class and it was a great way to get a bin.

      by shenanigans on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 08:58:11 PM PDT

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  • I just want to say (0 / 0)

    congrats to JLo and Marc, and I hope their kids do not get any grief for their names being so similar to the Dragon Tales characters [Emme spelled differently, I think?]

    anyway, as someone who almost named my twins Will and Grace [a year before the series came out] I have often thought how mortified my kids would have been at something that was completely inadvertent. I am guessing since JLo had no kids yet, she was not as familiar with Dragon Tales as many of us are.

    I wish them all health and happiness!

    by Lisa in Austin on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 08:55:15 AM PDT

  • Dragon Tales, Dragon Tales... (0 / 0)

    Emme and Max?? Do the Anthonys watch Dragon Tales or something? They're the bilingual twins on that PBS Kids cartoon.

    by jenna on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 09:32:03 AM PDT

  • so sad (0 / 0)

    So sad about Patrick Swayze.  Pancreatic cancer is probably one of the worst, if not the worst, cancer.  I can't find the details on how far his cancer has progressed, but he doesn't seem to be a candidate for surgery, so it probably has already spread.  Not good.

    by NJmom on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 10:03:26 AM PDT

    • I know (0 / 0)

      I don't know that much about him, but he has such a sweet face!  I cannot imagine what it would be like to be told I'll be dead in two months.

      by Erin on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 10:12:06 AM PDT

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      • My grandmother (0 / 0)

        died from pancreatic cancer. They told her she had 2 months to live and she lived about another year....go figure. It is a horrible cancer as the progression of the disease is awful.

        by GiGi on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 10:18:50 AM PDT

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        • awful (0 / 0)

          My MIL died of it this past August.  

          She had a mild pain in the middle of her back for a few months, but by the time you get the pain, it's usually spread and it's too late.

          She was diagnosed in April, dead by August and was so sick the whole time.  She did two rounds of chemo that did nothing but ruin her remaining time.  

          by NJmom on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:19:33 PM PDT

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    • It's probably getting close to the end (0 / 0)

      I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to give all the details to the public, but my grandmother (age 94) and step-grandfather (age 65) both died of this.  They were given eight months, and were both gone by six.  

      It's really a sad story.  He was in the BEST 80s movies: Red Dawn, The Outsiders, Dirty Dancing.  Maybe Ghost counts because it was early 90s.

      by cynmill on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 10:33:20 AM PDT

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    • I know (0 / 0)

      Pancreatic cancer is awful.  Pavarotti just died from it in the fall.  

      I think it would be even worse to be a celebrity in the spotlight and get it.  Yikes, I would not want that.

      "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

      by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:41:16 PM PDT

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      • Awful (0 / 0)

        usually I can't get to worked up about the paparazzi following around famous people, but I really hope that they would at least respect his right to spend his last few weeks in peace with his loved ones.

        by Erin on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 08:37:44 AM PDT

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  • Simone, Simone, Simone (0 / 0)

    A few months back, she told me that she wanted short hair.  I was sad at the time, but took her to get a sassy inverted bob anyway, because it's her head.  She had a good instinct--it's very cute.  This week she told me she wanted it very, very short, like her best friend Lucie.  I took her for another haircut, which she needed at any rate.  When I asked her if it was what she wanted, she said no.  Turns out she thought a haircut could turn her hair blonde like Lucie's.  But her hair is such a pretty cinnamon color!  Why would she want different hair?

    I told her that she and Lucie are little girls and they both have beautiful hair.  I guess it could just be normal kid stuff, but I'm sad that she isn't happy with herself.  She also called herself fat a few weeks ago!  She's four years old and 29 pounds!  I'm not superficial, so where does she get this?

    by Erin on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 10:20:52 AM PDT

    • Madeline (0 / 0)

      makes the same comments.  I have heard her say something about fat once.  I've never said it.  My guess is she heard her dad talking about it.  

      Madeline wants her hair like her cousin's ever since she saw her in December.  She has long dark silky Asian hair.  Yeah... that's so not happening for you, Madeline!   But now she's growing it out, even though I've told her a thousand times it won't be black.  Kids are funny, eh?

      "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

      by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:43:48 PM PDT

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      • The fat thing (0 / 0)

        is much more worrisome.  There's so much prejudice against overweight people, let alone the the implications about her own self-esteem.  

        Like Madeline, I'm guessing wanting blonde hair has to do with just adoring her friend and finding her exotic, but it still makes me sort of sad.

        by Erin on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:56:55 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • And.. (0 / 0)

          her cousin wanted blond hair when she was that age.  She wanted to look like Cinderella, which I found sad too.  

          The fat thing is totally due to my husband complaining about his own weight.  I've been telling him to watch what he says in front of the kids.  He's better about it, but still slips up every once in a while.  Kids are like little sponges, aren't they?

          "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

          by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 01:35:48 PM PDT

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    • My 21 mos old (0 / 0)

      weighs the same as your four year old! My family is sturdy, not fat at all (but I'm sure no one will believe me by my text message). We joke that we are the "dense" family, but we're the only ones allowed to say it...

      Wow, four years old and feeling fat....it's way too soon for that to start.

      by tarantula on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 01:36:37 AM PDT

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      • It hurts my heart (0 / 0)

        I don't know if she really does, though.  It might be something she just said, sort of trying it out.  But I do think it gives me something to be cautious about in the coming years.

        by Erin on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 08:39:23 AM PDT

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        • We had the fat moment (0 / 0)

          a couple of years ago, but it was just once and never came back. Who knows where it came from.

          DD now weighs 55 lbs and she was very excited that she is now more massive than a sack of duck food. :-)

          by shenanigans on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 09:02:15 PM PDT

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  • Snowing like crazy (0 / 0)

    I know spring is right around the corner somewhere, right?  Well, not in Ohio!  It's snowing like gangbusters right now.  We are supposed to get 4"-6" today and more tomorrow!  WTH!!!!!!!!!!

    I know this is nothing compared to what Katie gets out in NH.  But I'm ready for warm weather already!!!

    I'm looking into a few yoga schools in town and batting around the idea of becoming a yoga teacher.  I think it might like the "flexibility" (ha ha) of the part time work.  I taught briefly between kids and have been practicing yoga for about 10 years, but was not certified to teach.  I've also applied to a local art and music school to teach a class, but I haven't heard back yet.  W/Madeline starting kindergarten in the fall, I sort of want to have a plan for part time work soon.  

    "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

    by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 12:49:24 PM PDT

    • work (0 / 0)

      Part-time work!  Pshaw!  Think of all of the things you can do during that time when both kiddies are off at school.  You could sleep or get manicures and shop and read and drink coffee and exercise and cook...

      Just kidding (well, sort of, all that free time sounds wonderful).  Yoga school sounds fun though, as does teaching art p/t.

      by NJmom on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 01:17:39 PM PDT

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    • Blizzard watch (0 / 0)

      here in Cincy...yikes! DH is due home from San Diego in an hour...if he can land I'm not sure if he can drive home. Crazy.

      by GiGi on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 03:47:24 PM PDT

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      • OMG... (0 / 0)

        How much snow have you gotten?  It's hard to tell here w/all the blowing and drifting.  I'm going to guess around 5-6"?  I hope your DH makes it home safe and sound soon.  

        "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

        by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 03:58:42 PM PDT

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      • BTW (0 / 0)

        DH is out delivering pizzas in this craziness tonight.  Yikes! I hope people tip him big.

        I don't worry about him out there in weather like this.  He reminded me that he's the local snow-plow rodeo champion of 1978.  ;-)

        "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

        by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 04:04:29 PM PDT

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        • LOL (0 / 0)

          He reminded me that he's the local snow-plow rodeo champion of 1978.  ;-)

          We've had about 8 inches of snow and 1/4 inch of ice so far. Here's the latest weather report:
          Tonight: Snow, heavy at times. Gusty winds will lead to blizzard conditions. Low near 20F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. 5 to 8 inches of snow expected. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
          Tomorrow: Snow will be heavy at times. Gusty winds will create will create blizzard conditions, especially during the morning. High near 25F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Snow accumulating 6 to 10 inches. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
          (from Yahoo Weather)

          Fun stuff, eh? Remember, I'm a California girl so this is all new to me!
          DH should be landing soon...it's the drive home in his not-winter-friendly truck that scares me.

          by GiGi on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 04:25:36 PM PDT

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          • DH just called (0 / 0)

            Already made $85 in tips and he's only been there since 5:00.  He said it's busier than heck.  He also said the roads look like a ghost town, as no one but snowplows, pizza dudes, and police are out.

            I think our forecast is about the same, give or take a few inches.  I won't be going anywhere tomorrow.  I only hope it's cleared out by Sunday morning, as I have to lead the UU Sunday School class.

            Thinking good thoughts about your DH's safe arrival home.  

            "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

            by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 05:02:06 PM PDT

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  • DS #1 got tubes today (0 / 0)

    and his adenoids out. all is well now, but it isn't much fun seeing your child walk hand in hand down the hall of the hospital with the anesthesiologist and disappear behind those swinging doors. we didn't get to see him again until he came out of recovery. he was weepy from the drugs, but he seems fine now. we're home and playing almost like nothing happened. i'm definitely giving him more hugs and kisses today.

    by Stacey on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 01:25:17 PM PDT

    • Aw... (0 / 0)

      I bet you are glad that's over with.  Extra hugs and kisses sound in order today for sure!  :)

      "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!" ~Mike Meyers

      by 1plain1peanut on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 01:38:39 PM PDT

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    • I agree (0 / 0)

      that extra hugs and kisses are probably just what he needs. Hope he recovers fully and feels great from here on out.

      by Lisa in Austin on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 04:39:41 PM PDT

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      • thanks (0 / 0)

        he is doing great. he told me later in the day that he was really scared when they took him back to the surgery room by himself. he said that he cried and felt scared because he didn't know the names of any of the people in the room. it broke my heart. but it led to us having a really good conversation about what it means to be brave. he thought he hadn't been brave because he felt so scared and told him that i thought he had been very brave precisely because he had felt that way. then i told him about how i was scared when i had the c-section with DS#2 and i think it made him feel better. i'm so glad i asked him about how it went for him during the surgery. sigh. lots and lots of hugs and kisses for him and a big old glass of wine for me tonight!

        by Stacey on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 10:09:21 PM PDT

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        • Why by himself? (0 / 0)

          I've never heard of that with kids. How old is he?

          by GiGi on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 06:57:58 AM PDT

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          • i was surprised too (0 / 0)

            he's four years old. i thought i would be able to be in there with him. when i talked to him about my experience with the c-section, i didn't mention that the worst part of it was the time i was in the OR by myself. i guess they were getting my husband ready or whatever, i don't know, but i couldn't wait for him to be there with me. it sucks being alone on that table.

            by Stacey on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 11:22:33 AM PDT

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            • Why didn't they let you? (0 / 0)

              That is just so odd and un-child friendly! Unbelievable to me and something, honestly, that I just would not stand for... indeed, we go back with our DS each and every time he has a procedure and the OR team is always very accommodating (and actually THANK US for coming in and helping get him settled and sedated).

              by GiGi on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 12:54:01 PM PDT

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              • it was my first time (0 / 0)

                having him in the hospital and it didn't occur to me until after it was all over with that i wished i'd asked to go with him. although i doubt they would have let me. i watched all the kids walk back without their parents. they did offer to sedate him in the room with us and then take him back, but at that point he was totally fine with where he was and i didn't realize what it would be like for him otherwise. he's been fine today about it so i don't want to get too worked up. i think it upset me more than him thinking about it afterwards.

                by Stacey on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 07:20:16 PM PDT

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        • You don't need this now but (0 / 0)

          there's a great Franklin book about going to the hospital to have an operation.  It talks about bravery.  I think it's Franklin goes to the Hospital or something like that.  Aimed at younger kids but a good resource.

          "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly"

          by lonestar canuck on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 08:52:45 AM PDT

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          • actually i will get it (0 / 0)

            i didn't want to create a lot of anxiety beforehand so i casually mentioned it to him the day before and didn't say he was having surgery. i just told him they were going to fix his hearing and they would put him to sleep to do it. but now that it's over, i think it would be good to read a book like this to him so we can keep talking about the experience if he wants to. thanks for the tip!

            by Stacey on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 11:25:15 AM PDT

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    • Whew! I bet he feels better now. (0 / 0)

      He got the works, eh?

      by tarantula on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 01:40:23 AM PDT

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      • yep. (0 / 0)

        he says his hearing is better. i think he can tell in one respect - he told the doctor that his voice talks in his ears and after the surgery he said his voice was only in his mouth. probably some kind of reverberation he was hearing inside his head.

        by Stacey on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 11:27:31 AM PDT

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  • J-Lo (0 / 0)

    Hey, when I heard the babies' weight, I have to say I was impressed - from what I understand, those are really healthy weights for twins - especially if they were born pre-term. Although I don't know that. Good job to Jennifer Lopez.

    by Rachel on Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 04:41:17 PM PDT

  • Insomnia. (0 / 0)

    by tarantula on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 01:45:41 AM PDT

  • Hillary Queen of the Monsters (0 / 0)

    <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TNLGJyfpNyY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TNLGJyfpNyY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

    by Aaron on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 04:21:59 PM PDT

  • Hillary Queen of the Monsters (0 / 0)

    Hillary Queen of the Monsters
    http://www.youtube.com/...

    Obviously embedding doesn't work here.

    by Aaron on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 04:24:32 PM PDT

  • We saw a bald eagle today! (0 / 0)

    circling our field.

    by shenanigans on Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 09:05:32 PM PDT

Permalink | 74 comments