MamaJD (re: Patrons oppose International Baccalaureat program): I agree with Don: I think the USA is a pretty great country, too. BUT — I’m not angered to the point of action & protest over the fact that the United Nations is operating somewhere in the world. I don’t believe that Hayden Meadows is ground zero of indoctrination for a New World order. So I’m not frothing at the mouth over the UN but that shouldn’t equate to a one way ticket to live somewhere else, should it? And PS — the Pledge of Allegiance is still stated on a daily basis, the constitution is still studied, and kids at Hayden Meadows love their country.

Question: Do you think our schools do enough to teach American history and/or patriotism? 

MamaJD: Teachers currently practice collaboration on a scheduled basis. Privately, teachers I have spoken with will tell you that this is a system that does not need to be fixed. Collaboration currently takes place outside of school hours and DOES NOT IMPACT children or their families. I have heard repeatedly of the “vote” taken in a survey where the two choices are Monday or Wednesday morning. Parents at Hayden Meadows were allowed input for the test piloting at their school – their majority preference of Friday early release was overridden for Wednesday early release.

DFO: Daily poll from Thursday is now running 72% against schools starting late on Mondays to give teachers an hour of “collaboration” time.

Question: If the public is solidly against the new “collaboration” proposal and teachers are saying privately that the system doesn’t need to be fixed, who’s behind the push to start the school week with an hour of teacher collaboration?

What’s the going rate for a tooth these days? Is it a sliding scale or flat rate? According to this WebMD article, the Tooth Fairy is feeling the effects of the bad economy and our children are taking the hit. According to WebMD, the average payout for a tooth by the Tooth Fairy is $1.88. I believe the Tooth Fairy that visits the JD household has been possibly paying out too much. I’m confused and I need to figure this out. The Dude Ha has another loose tooth and he’s eating apples like crazy. When I was a little girl, my Tooth Fairy gave me $5 for my first tooth/MamaJD. More here.

Question: How much does the tooth fairy leave under pillows @ your house?

I love Facebook. I love keeping “in touch” without the actual touching that life used to require before Facebook. I check in daily and get updated on my peeps should they choose to provide any new updates on their lives. What I can’t stand is the occasional political opinion that a “friend” chooses to broadcast via Facebook. It puts me in a quandry. I’m so used to political expression that occurs in a blog type format, such as Huckleberries Online, where disagreement and debate is moderated and encouraged. Often that is where I read and sometimes participate in political discourse. It throws me off to see political topics creep into the profiles of my Facebook friends/MamaJD. More here.

Question: Does MamaJD have a good point re: keeping politics — and mebbe religion — out of online forums like Facebook?

My daughter decided she wanted to give a valentine to Scotty. So as not to set her expectations too high, I asked how she would feel if Scotty didn’t give her a valentine. ( I figure it’s never to early to learn the lesson that boys may not think to give you a valentine if you are not on the class list. ) Her response was surprisingly mature. “It would be okay. I just want him to know I appreciate him, ” she replied. Lemonhead had a approximately 25 valentines to hand out. The one she treasured most was Scotty’s. She kept it separate from the others. She put in her back pocket for safekeeping in between the umpteen times she pulled it out to see if it was still there/MamaJD. More here.

Bayview Herb offers the following love stores re: HBO regulars: Chatterbox, Tamara Lee Poelstra’s story, Marianne Love’s love story, Jen Rude’s love story, Katrina’s love story, and Meg Andrews’ story.

Question: Who was the first person you had a schoolboy or schoolgirl crush on?

Here is one the best little legal tidbits MamaJD could ever provide her friends: Free makeup or perfume lotion at Macy’s here in Coeur d’Alene as well as in Spokane and also at Nordstrom! There is a class action settlement that entitles you to a regular size item from an assortment of choices (Lancome, Estee Lauder, Clinique, etc) which can be obtained now at Macy’s and Nordstrom. You do not have to have a receipt. You will need to sign your name releasing your claim to something that you didn’t know you were eligible for. Men - if you want to impress your lady, go on into Macys and get some smelly lotion (for free). I saw a couple of men there picking items up for their ladies/MamaJD. More here.

MamaJD/Special to Huckleberries Online

“A moose stopped by (the Bentwood subdivision) for a visit,” e-mails MamaJD. “Actually, a neighbor kid couldn’t make it home because the moose was in his way. The moose was nice enough. He posed for a few pics and even obeyed the traffic sign as he made his way thru the neighborhood.” Also on the moose patrol was ThomG and Mr. & Mrs. Mike Kralicek, who happened to be driving by.