I have seen this issue from both sides. As a university student in a school what I've heard said had the highest alcohol consumption per capita in the nation at one time, and also as a peds nurse who has dealt with teens who literally seriousy poisoned themselves on alcohol. I think that a lot of teens, and even adults, assume that a person who drinks too much at one time would pass out before they ever hit a lethally toxic dose. Not the case when booze is consumed too quickly for the body to process it. And, that happens.......... all too sadly. This of course doesn't even consider the other dangers involved in less than lethal levels, like aspiration and choking when vomiting, extremely compromised decision making ability leading to loss of inhibition where sexual activity and driving are concerned especially or eventual alcohol dependence. Let's face it, our nation has a very serious drug consumption problem and booze is cheap and readily available in most households.....that's a really enticing combination for a teenager. I'm not a teetotaller, although in the last twenty years I might as well be for all I consume. I have no problems at all with its public sale to adults and laugh at the silly regulations most states THINK will curb problems. Where teens are concerned, it's about adults taking responsibility and I know that's easier said than done, because you can't be with your teen every minute of the day. I feel so much sadness for any adult who has to deal with a teen and alcohol. It could happen to any parent, regardless of their parenting skill or lack of it. Alcohol has been responsible for more heartache than any legal drug, and from what I have seen professionally it makes cigarette smoking pale in comparison. This is one drug what directly impacts a family for decades and brings harm not only to the abuser, but anyone who connected to them.

Kim, I thought I'd share a quick story about squirrels and lemonade to ease your pain. My best friend's mom and great-grandma when mom was approx 40, and great-grandma was about 80, would spend an entire day here and there, sitting on lawn chairs on porch with lots of acreage up front. Both dressed in old style dresses, with glasses of lemonade and 22 long rifles in their lap. They'd just shoot (verbally) the bull all day, drinking their lemonade. As soon as a ground squirrel would pop it's head up out of the ground, one would grab the rifle and blow it's little head off. They were awesome shots, and got up to 100 ground squirrels on some days. I got to see a b&w photo of them sitting, looked like it was right out of the 1800's. I have a 22 long rifle (but no appropriate dresses). I'm thinking about a day soon... I saw bull eye in bloom at a nursery, it just didn't do it for me. But Seil, your pink lemonade photo is absolutely gorgeous and has me rethinking.

I used to do daycare so all poisonous plants had to kept out of the play area. Totally understandable to me. When you have a bunch of 2 year olds its better to play it safe. I no longer do daycare and my children are older. So I have no problem planting brugs or anything else in all areas of my yard. I dont put them close to the fence by my one neighbor cause they have puppies and I would hate to harm them if they were stupid enough to eat them. My other side of the yard there are no puppies or small children so it is loaded. lol My children are older and they know better. But to know better they have to be tought better and usually that doesnt happen. BTW regarding the drug wars. Kids will learn better with the basic facts. Trying to make it cute or funny doesnt work. When I was a teen the this is your brain and this is your brain on drugs with the egg in the skillet was the big THIS WILL KEEP THEM FROM DOING DRUGS. Lol I know more kids that tried it cause it had to be good if they were making that big of a deal of it. Ok this got long, but the short of it is, if that commercial was more along the lines of you will be nothing with no money and no life when you get older, those kids might have thought twice Carey

Haahahahaa! Karen this is SO funny. I'm bursting into laughter reading these posts again, and remembering writing and reading them at the time. Well done! And my favourite part about Martha Stewart dropping in with her dish towel parachute!!! WAY too funny!