Settled for sending the men to CA this summer. They will do a lot around SF since there is plenty of history, natural beauty, and the Computer History Museum. I cannot determine from internet surfing if the redwoods in Big Basin Redwoods Park would satisfy, or if they need to head north to Humboldt for a few days. Can someone advise? Recommendations on accommodations, if going north is essential, is also appreciated. Thanks all!

Thanks, Twigs!

This is so worth finding again for our (and your) young 'uns. How do I tag this? (Oldie but Dumbie here=)

These are great leads! They'll be a great help -- I've passed them along. Thank you. Edited to add - had more chance to peruse. Really, really great info about all things travel for young people on the wsaeurope.com (Andy Steves) website. Also sells tours.

Have a young adult friend doing a self-study abroad. Rick Steves website is my go-to for travel tips. Is there something like this aimed at young adults and their more thrifty/adventuresome bents?

This shampoo was the first one to do that for me: Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo (I only use shampoo, never conditioner). I purchased this at an upscale salon until I saw it was for sale at the salon in the Walmart where I market. Then, I found this amazing shampoo at a friend's house: TRESemmé Expert Selection Botanique - Nourish & Replenish Shampoo. Amazing difference in my hair the days I use it. Can't describe it, it just lays nicely all day! I purchase this at Walmart. Here's a link to what I use: â Botanique Nourish and Replenish Shampooâ â¦â€ªtresemme.com‬â©

57 :cheers2:

I am a Dol-ly-phant! Although this isn't a category, others think I am the 'fun' mom. :party: About that, my children think, "Huh?" :lol:

Agreed regarding 'on paper' is better for us, and Meltzers Books...the absolutely best ever. Our family has done a variety, from Khan, Memoria Press' Online Test Prep Course, tutors, and, the best: good old-fashioned taking practice tests over and over and over again. I read this suggestion on this board many times. Simply studying from the regular test book - simple strategies are often best. For our youngest, there were too many inconsistencies on practice tests for this to help in math. So, I hired a tutor on Wyzant. The tutor simply did what we were already doing, assigning the student a math section prior to each meeting, but with the great benefit of real-live explanation and tutoring of those missed problems. Great money spent and filled in those holes. This time of intensive math section study combined with slow and steady Meltzer English section practice resulted in the same SAT score, just flip-flopped...now English was sliding - SAT total stayed the same. This inconsistent test scoring was new for us, so I switched from SAT to ACT right before a last attempt (our target for this child was 27, not as good as siblings, but just right for scholarships) thinking that perhaps College Board was still working out kinks in the new test or, perhaps, this student didn't 'love' the SAT the way the rest of our family did. So, I sold my SAT Meltzer books, replaced with ACT ones, and assigned Super Magnet Man's ACT science youtube lessons -- score improvement of 2 ACT points (equivalents) to a 27. Since either test was allowable at the schools we were looking at this time, I am glad we decided to try something different. So, this is the general plan: I treat test prep as a subject during all of junior year with a section of test from the Official SAT test prep book taken every single day. As soon as that section is taken, student goes over and studies answers missed. Concurrently, student studies Meltzer books that I have broken down into small (3-5 page) assignments, making flash cards for tips and tricks as we go...memorizing those was a lifesaver. We reviewed her flashcards daily. Meltzer lists rules to memorize in each book. For tips and tricks, like pacing and strategies, the official book covers them really well, but Meltzer's strategies for the grammar and reading sections just can't be beat. Khan is using the official book I believe. ETA, Well, I told you our experience, but didn't actually answer your questions! I found the Memoria Press class and another SAT tutor we used for an older student a complete disappointment and waste of money. In our experience, the only tips and tricks given where the ones stated clearly already in the official SAT book and were nothing compared to Metlzer's suggestions. Also, experience is the best teacher. Do a lot of practice tests, then read the tips from the prep book again; they will all make more sense when the student has a feel for the test itself. Also, I expect the class to give personal feedback -- it did not. The only personal feedback we got was from the Wyzant tutor and that was cheaper than a class overall and only targeted what we needed. But, the class did offer commitment and time set aside. That was our first child. I decided, after that, to make test prep a part of our junior's day, so that, then, offered for free the consistency and commitment needed for much success. Best wishes!

I really regret not getting our eldest the Guinea pig he saved for! Such innocent desires are fleeting! He outgrew the desire and turned to other pursuits. Knowing how affectionate he is with our cats, I know he would have loved it and continued that love throughout his maturation if he had acquired the fur bag. He didn't get it because DH and I, upon not being sure how to proceed, will occasionally choose the path of perfection. Our researching for the perfect habitat led to too much time passing, and, then, the desire passing. Two other instances...first, I cancelled a dog on order, warm and safe in the womb, because I just didn't want the work. (pets are mom work -- it is a fact of life that pets are mom work) I was entering the 'in.the.car.all.the.time' stage and made a wise decision that broke DH's and children's hearts. (do not you worry, Newfypoo is coming soon....just 8 years later!) Also, our youngest began her Angora goat business (sells fleeces/yarn) complete with companion donkey and mule, at age 16. Old enough to pay for it (all), but old enough to risk leaving before they are dead (let us not mince words). Am I scared they will become ours? You betcha!

Many individual ones that are boring, but... I made our eldest son's (on my iPhone ) the iPhone ring, Suspense...it is perfectly eerie and creepy...he thinks this is hilarious that I chose this for him...but, it scares the jeepers out of me each time, especially if I forget to turn the ringer off at night when it is next to our bed and he texts late! DH's (on home phone) is Old MacDonald Had a Farm

:grouphug:

You know ikslo, and all, I really detest when people say, "You'll see!" in that sneering way. Although it wasn't meant that way at all, I promise :001_smile: But, now I can't get this out of my head (please pass the tissues): To Any Reader As from the house your mother sees You playing round the garden trees, So you may see, if you will look Through the windows of this book, Another child, far, far away, And in another garden, play. But do not think you can at all, By knocking on that window, call That child to hear you. He intent Is all on his play-business bent. He does not hear; he will not look, Nor yet be lured out of this book. For, long ago, the truth to say, He has grown up and gone away, And it is but a child of air That lingers in the garden there. Robert Louis Stevenson

Wow, that's happy feet! Come back and tell us if it is that easy to make him happy when he is 13 (ask me how I know...but those days too shall pass...and be missed).

There is nothing that could be bad about something that ended like a truffle=) Great auction results!

:hurray: Happy for you and blessings to you and yours!

No, only freshman and part of sophomore year taken at first school. He is currently a junior. On the unofficial transcript from current school, all his past classes from former schools that received transfer credit are listed. (One was dual credit chem from hs) The 4.0 GPA, though, is only taking current school's classes into consideration. I would go with that. BTW...Crazy child, when we asked him how he did last semester (his first semester back after last year's chemo for lymphoma), he shrugged his shoulder's and said, "Ok". Now I see that 'Ok' was a 4.0! No one would ever say we are the dramatic types!

He such a geek! He just now sent me his unofficial transcript from current Uni. It's a 4.0. Adding the last college (that was just about as good) would only bring it down a little. If it were me, I just take the current one LOL PS, you guys are great, thanks!

Good suggestion. There was a lot of negotiating happening since the big state Uni he's at now didn't want to take the smaller college humanities credits. It all worked out, but I'm not always privy to those types of details from him. (but I am still the person he goes to for help :-)) Edited for typos from being on phone w/out glasses

Hmm..they took the credits, but I don't think they transferred onto his new transcript. Of course, I haven't seen his new transcript. I will check back with him again.

He attended 1-½ years at one, 1semester at the current one. It is acceptable/accurate for him to calculate them together? TIA!

Dirtysoxusa.com Just awesome, but expensive, socks. bonus beyond no holes, they always look clean.

Congratulations to your son!

So, I usually only read. Yesterday, I was chatty. I thought, "is this a sign?"

Thanks for that -- especially the yummy photo! I'm a little nervous about using saute before pressure cooking as doing so made the BURN alarm go off during my chili cooking - so I had to abort that. Do you make sure you really, really, deglaze the bottom of the pot between sautéing and beginning pressure cook? Also, roughly how much water do you add (and please tell me to what poundage of potatoes) in order to be able to just mash that water in. I have read so many times to use plenty of water to IP to make it function correctly, that I likely am using too much. So, I definitely had to drain mine.