If I use the broom to sweep, I am cleaning the floor. If I use soap & water with a brush, I am washing the floor. (if it's just a damp sponge or rag mop, I am mopping the floor) If I am washing clothes (isn't it called a washer & dryer?), they ARE getting clean but I am still washing them. When they are folded, they are clean clothes, not washed clothes. When they come out of the 'washer', they are washed clothes. I wash my car and then it is clean. (that's on the outside) but if I am vacuuming the carpet or dusting the dash, then I am cleaning the inside. None of this really matters since I let my husband do all the cleaning anyways. He lives for straight lines in carpets and spot free glassware. I let him knock himself out while I relax and watch my shows in DVR!

Well yesterday I finally got a call from the Holiday Inn that charged me for 4 rooms and the manager said he would get it all taken care of. I told him that I should get 2 free rooms for my inconvenience. He said he could do one and I said that since I have overpaid for 6 rooms between the two hotels and am going to be paying late fees on bills I can not pay since they have $1600 of my money that 2 rooms is the least they can do. He said he would speak to the general manager. Today I looked at my bank statement online and only one room was refunded. So I called the general manager directly this morning and told him of only one room being refunded. He apologized and said he thought everything had been taken care of yesterday and he would get to the bottom of it today. I also asked him about the 2 rooms and he said no problem! That Holiday Inn has an indoor waterpark so that will be a lot of fun for our kids and we are going to bring another couple and their kids with as well when we go. As for the Holiday Inn I did stay at that overcharged me for two rooms. Well they said right away that they would take care of it, but they still have not. I left a message for their general manager and I am going to insist on free rooms there too for the inconvenience. This has all been such a hassle! Free rooms at each is the least they can do. Lesson learned--I will never book with a debit card instead of a regular credit card again!

I'd go for the midday rather than the evening. The 7:30 end time might put you a little too close to bedtimes for some kids that age. I know that for me, that's a time when I'd want a 6- or 7-year old to be winding down, rather than being all excited from a fun party. Also, about the free babysitting aspect of it-- that would be a bonus for parents with one child, but what about the ones with more? Were you thinking of inviting siblings to the party, as well as the kids in the class?

"And they should feel fortunate that they were able to explain to her that it wasn't that she wasn't wanted, it was the day and age, it was the age of the mother, etc. and they were trying to do what they thought was best." I wanted to add on this note, too, who it is exactly that FD thinks should have stepped forward for Jane? Her birthmother ( my mom's first cousin) was 14! This was back in an era when single moms just didn't exist. Having a baby and raising her wasn't an option for the birthmom, as she was just a child herself! The birthfather was also young, 15 when Jane was born. (I might add, he and Jane have almost no relationship today because they just didn't have much of a connection. It IS fortunate and extremely rare that Jane and her birthmom were able to forge such a strong bond. I know it is the rare exception in these situations!) Anyway, so we have ruled out Jane's birthmom having been able to keep her and raise her. Jane's birthmom's mom was a single mom herself---her husband had walked out on the family years earlier, leaving her to go to work and struggle to support her 3 girls. She couldn't have raised Jane's baby, either. She was struggling as it was to take care of her 3 girls, and as it was, my grandparents actually wound up setting up college funds for all three of them. Let's see....my grandparents were around, but at that time, my grandpa was still working; he made a lot of money in his stock options after his retirment, so at that point, while they were well-off, they did not have the assets they do now. They certainly could have afforded to raise Jane, and like I said, I know my grandma really wanted to, but everyone felt it best for ALL involved if Jane went to a family with typical-age parents. They also felt that it would be too awkward and uncomfortable for everyone, including Jane, for her to be raised within the family, but not by her birthmother. They worried about the emotional pain and turmoil that would have caused the birthmom and Jane herself. And really---was it even my grandparents' responsibility???? Why is it FD that you think family members are RESPONSIBLE for someone giving their child up for adoption? If my teenage cousin had a baby today and wanted to give the baby up for adoption, never in a million years would I think I would be obligated to raise that baby. Actually, I would think it kind of presumptuous of me to even SUGGEST the notion. I am thinking of my sweet little 19 year old cousin right now...if she had a baby, and wanted to give the child up for adoption because she felt it was the right choice, I would not FAULT her for that, nor would I even think it was REMOTELY my business! I would offer my love and support in whatever was best, but I would never think that I should step in. I might consider it if she ASKED me to raise her child but I would not bring it up. Who else would there have been that you think "wronged" Jane by not raising her? My mom? My mom was 23 and in grad school, not even married to my dad yet. My uncle? He was in college. Jane's birthmom's sisters? One was in highschool and one was in grade school! I am not sure who these fictional people are who you think should have "wanted" and raised Jane?