This is so sad. I loved her music and her message of perseverance.

eta: I assume we’re talking about the long special: The Sign… We watched it. It seems to be generally liked — I’m not sure what you’re angry about? Unless it’s the setting up one big change storyline, only to undo it at the end (which is pretty unrealistic/unhelpful for children who may be experiencing that change)? But it tells us at the beginning that all these things (Brandy anyone?) were going to have a happy ending. It was in the children’s discussion with Calypso — “why do stories always have a happy ending?”, they said.

Here’s one of mine a couple of years ago. If you zoom in, you can see all the flowers about to open. It’s over a decade old and I’ve lightly pruned it 2-3x (so still pretty small for the age).

Idk if you’re specifically looking for red foliage/flowers, but if white is okay, I second the gardenia rec. I have two varieties of dwarf gardenia (in the Raleigh area, purchased from Lowe’s). They’ve done really well in full morning sun even though I’m very hands off with my yard, lol. I’m amazed they’re still alive — I rarely water them. The one on our northern side has grown more slowly but bloomed this past year. They bloom like crazy! (I don’t dead head them, I just hit them with blasts from my small/weak leaf blower, haha). I just put in two more last week. The deer don’t bother them.

I got my small-sunburn last weekend. It’s funny because when I do yard work, I’m fully covered (long sleeves and pants, floppy hat, sunscreen) but there’s always that one day in the spring that catches me off guard.

I’ve always loved the look of built ins next to a fireplace. I think the inspo image shares looks great!

I had a strange delivery this week, too. I ordered a dietary supplement from Amazon, but it was coming from GNC. Apparently it came *directly* from the GNC at the mall, 45 minutes away. My daughter said some dude (no uniform, no delivery truck) dropped it off in a GNC bag (it was sealed and the bag was stapled with a receipt). Doesn’t seem cost effective to me, to hand deliver one small thing that far!!

Thanks for the recs. I’ll look into them all! @popmom - re: Stephen King. I have only read a few, years ago, but I definitely remember graphic sexual stuff. 🤷‍♀️ Maybe I’m remembering something else. So, to elaborate on my restrictions for this kid. She says she wants scary stuff, but she also tends to fixate a bit and has bad dreams. I want to keep the truly dark, horrific stuff out of her head for a while, if I can. And she wants short stories because she gets bogged down/discouraged by longer books and series. She wants something she can finish in a few sittings.

Younger dd (15) wants to read “something scary.” I have reasons not to just set her loose with Stephen King or the library. I’m looking for specific recommendations of “horror-light” or spooky short stories. Fairly clean and not too gory? Is that too big of an ask? I’m not opposed to older stuff (Poe?) but she has specifically asked for short stories, and I am not familiar with any short story anthologies. Would Lovecraft be appropriate? I’ve never read anything Lovecraft… Thoughts?

We’re not big travelers, so meh. But I did make a box to see it through. The kids and I have been popping outside every 15 minutes or so to see it. (We’re not in totality. Just macaroni noodle shaped.)

Downton Abbey Call the Midwife Elementary Agents of Shield Eureka Once Upon a Time Doc Martin Gravity Falls

I’ve used NYX matte setting spray before (for pictures) and liked it well enough. The brand also has dewy versions and a sensitive version (which is on my list to try). Plus side is it’s pretty inexpensive, compared to something like Charlotte Tilbury or the like.

I feel like they’d be surrounded by security, even if it were casual and relaxed. They don’t just run to the market by themselves, right?

Yea, definitely. In high school, I was so self-conscious about the dark, thick hair on my arms that I shaved them a few times (and claimed I didn’t, lol). 🙄 A couple of years ago, I realized : I hardly have ANY hair on my arms now. It’s fine and light. Interestingly, underarm hair is still going strong. 🤷‍♀️