Larry, I bet they all grow and you'll be trying to figure out what to do with 600 onions. Paula, Ten bunches? Trying to set a record, huh? : ) I am only planting 7 bunches. My onions arrived either Monday or Tuesday but since the ground is so wet from this week's rain, I haven't planted them yet. Sunday is supposed to be a pretty nice day, so I hope to plant them on Sunday afternoon if not before. With clay soil, it pays to wait a few days for it to dry out some. It was drizzling when I woke up. I don't know why it always has to rain the week that the onions are due to be planted, but it does. Dawn

Been down the road twice with our two sons. Older DS is now doing his teaching internship for his master's in education. Younger DS is a freshman in college (and yes, I miss them both a lot!) The search was interesting, and of course I had MY favorite choices. Older DS ended up at my favorite for him (and got a full-tuition scholarship) for his undergrad degree in music. It was the size of school he wanted (6000 kids) , in the Midwest as he wanted, and offered the high level of educational experience he desired, plus a great program for education majors. But it also meant meant we weren't able to make all his concerts (he is a violist) because the school is about 6.5 hours away by car, just over 4 by train. That distance was the real downside. Younger DS surprised us by putting that same school on his short list (because I kind of thought he might reject it since it was his brother's experience, and he always wants to be his own person). I was kind of hoping he would choose a different one, which was only about 2 hours from home - 4 years of the long drive or train ride and having to miss things was always in my head. He was awarded a presidential scholarship to that school, an amazing opportunity, and he had loved the place since we had looked at it 4 years earlier for older DS, and they have an outstanding history department (his major). I was stoked, because I was sure that would be his choice. And then, we made the" mistake" of making another visit to his brother's school, and giving him a chance to talk in depth with several people in his major, and in the master's in education program. He had already been awarded a full-tuition scholarship there. Well, as he told me later, up to that point he had been pretty well decided on the other school, but those final conversations made him realize that he would get an even better history education AND have the master's program, if he went to the same place older DS was going. And so he did, and he is happy with his choice. I guess my point in all this is that while distance is a downside, what matters most is that they are at the school that feels right, and offers them the best educational experience in their chosen field. Once they make their decision, the pressure is off. Just don't be surprised if they wait until close to the national decision date, and you get to worry about it for as long as possible !

My DIL is pregnant and has settled on a very trendy name. I loathe trendy, but it's not my choice. We used all family names for our kids, and I've suggested a few names that we had't used, but I know it's up to them. One thing I wish these girls would consider today is that lots of these trendy names, which sound like last names, or place names are being used more and more for little girls, and little boys very much dislike having a name the same as a girl. I know from whence I speak as I teach in an elementary school. I had a professor in college named Taffy XXXXXX, PhD. I'm sure when those parents looked at little bundle o' joy Taffy that no one envisioned her being a quite stern and serious professor. Long ago, someone told me that good checks for names are 1. yell it out the back door to see if it sounds right. 2. Say, "my BIL (name) or my SIL (name) are going to go fishing with me this weekend." 3. Say " Presenting the Pres. Of the United States XXXXX" or "Nominated to the Supreme Court is Judge XXXXX." All of these tests should help one decide if you've chosen a name that will serve your shild well wherever he goes in life. The other thing to consider is that if you name your child what everyone else is there will be many in his/her class with the same name. Right now in second grade, we have so many Bens that several have to go by their first and last name because they have the same initials. Naming a child is such a heady responsibility. As MIL, I need to keep quiet, though.

One big frustration is when people post and ask for advice but withhold info on what actually happened. Through the first half of this thread I grew very skeptical hearing only "relentless bullying" but nothing as to what the bullying was and how often was relentless. I was glad to see the addition of what prompted the fight. That shifted my thoughts. Still don't know what the "relentless bullying" is but informing the action that started it was appreciated. First, of course there usually is and should be, zero-tolerance for violence on school property and a bus is school property. The older felt justified to take action based on what the other kid did. Where *I* give credit to the older brother is his maturity at saying essentially, yes I did it and I'll take the responsibility for it. THAT is what deserves the pat on the back IMO! He seems to know there are repercussions for his actions and that tells me there's been good parenting. Kudos to the parents. I can't help but wonder if you're looking for redemption not so much for the grandson, but for yourself for pushing him so hard to look out for his little brother? Sounds like you down deep believe that you prompted this and that perhaps is accurate. Here's an example where a person made a bad choice and a good choice. I'd compliment the good choice and avoid the bad. The other thing is I think this is getting overblown a bit. The matter is done. He made his choice. He accepted his punishment. The parents will make their decision. Why stretch it out? Let it go away at least for grandparents involvement. Hopefully he learned his lesson.