ETA - @BaseballandHockey reading the rest of the story just now, instead of just answering the questions, I can see what a health attitude you have for feeding your children, IMO! Hope this soon calms down, and you all can have peace with it - you are definitely doing a great job feeding everyone.

Ok, Dd runs a fiber farm. I seriously thought you meant fiber spinning! 😹 I was going to suggest sitting on an exercise ball - she loves that for her back.

That quote will be in my head all day ROFL!!! Thanks for the laughter!!! I usually ask DH to help, and we put it off, resulting in some years having late nights, last minute. Much better to just do it on my own earlier, in the early day when I feel energized....I am a quick wrapper, but it hurts my back. This year, I took presents with me when I traveled with DH on business - no site-seeing possible, so why not? It was fun and got it done. The (grown) children wrap the gifts they give, DH wraps mine, and DH also wraps the ‘daddy gifts’ he gives...those are always surprise gifts - I don’t even know what he gets them. Back when money was super tight, it really annoyed me b/c I would have accounted for his spending in my Christmas budget, but then I realized it was just something he really wanted to do it (and continues). it is sweet that he does that IMO.

Good for you!!

Nor Lysol liquid. Neither the original brown bottle nor the all purpose liquid. I am a few cleaning products gal, and I really miss my bottle of Lysol! On the walls, I will begin tomorrow to vacuum - I have the extension attachment ready to go. (You didn’t expect me to begin today, did you?? I was too busy 😇 researching ph’s of common household cleaners, finding my husband’s stash of simple green in the garage, and dusting off my portable Oreck that was a favorite tool of Ds when he used to do the stairs). Then I will use a very dilute solution of simple green (with a light hand, as their site says that eggshell finish, which we have, may be damaged by rubbing), followed by clear water and dry rag. Wish me luck!

Yes, the steamer...I am stubbornly waiting to buy the Tosca. I follow all your successes on here with envy, but I had made the Tosca promise to myself right when the Neat was launched. A removable hose might sway me, but I doubt it. In the meantime, I either must let things remain dirty or put more effort in than I’d like. I have a part-time gig each winter which affords me something to buy for the house each year. This year it was to be the Tosca. But, nope: my job in cancelled this year d/t Covid shutdowns. ETA - my DH will have heavy needs for it (although he is not quite convinced YET) outside and in his workshop, so that is one of my reasons for wanting the Tosca over the Neat.

Although that does look rather gruesome, I would eat it...it's right up my alley. To improve its looks, perhaps place it on a bed of rice and top with shredded cheese.

I sometimes wish I cooked like your mom! I love food and cooking - rarely repeating the same item for a few months. My repertoire is so wide, that I did not repeat the favorites of the more plain-palettes in the family as often as I now wish I had. Of course, there were my go-to’s when out running everyone around and having to feed everyone fast - like salmon burgers or spaghetti Alfredo, but I wish I had cooked more on a rotation, leaving certain nights for surprises. Now, we are eating more meat/veggie based meals - not trying to fill anyone up anymore, i.e. boys - and explore more techniques of cooking/grilling, rather than new recipes, per se.

They’re mostly majorly dusty. But, when I simply run a dust cloth over it, it clings more than I would expect, and the walls look, well, dirty IMO. I do think that it complicates matters with the master being open to the master bath via the open ceiling area. All that moisture! Who thought that open ceiling areas in master suites was a good idea?? I just looked up ‘walls’ in the cleaning bible: Home Comforts - The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. Haven’t picked it up in years. She says 1)vacuum, 2) clean a few sq yards at a time, beginning at the top, with a mild cleaner (or stronger if needed). One rag to wash, another from clean water bucket to rinse. 3)wipe dry with a third cloth. Oh, and some paints, especially old ones cannot take it. We would just paint, but this is not a good time at all!

Yes, there is no way in the world that DH would let me go after anything with a pressure washer haha! It is a carpeted room with wood furniture, some antiques that I do not intend to move (my mom would roll over in her grave over that).

So...TSP is not just before painting? My (completely uneducated) impression was that it would mess with the finish.

My walls, especially in the master bedroom need serious cleaning. They are vaulted, so high in spots. I do not have littles, so there are no fingerprints or anything, but the previous owner burnt candles in there (from what I guess), so they seem not only dusty, but grimy. Usually we paint frequently, so only dust occasionally between times, but not in this house. I need step by step. I envision: dusting with a lambs wool mop then using a bucket of ________ and a rag to hand scrub lower areas, then mop for up higher. What do I use as a cleaner, and do I stop at a certain height and call it good? With the (sorry to say) slightly grimy texture that is holding onto the dust I have tried to remove, I am concerned that this is a)going to take a lot of elbow grease and b) may result in spotty looking walls if not successful. What is your method?

I am sorry you are still dealing with this. And, I am sorry to have no suggestions. You are being a responsible owner to your sweet kitty. How much will be asked of you? How much is too much? I know there is no pet problem yet that I have experienced that strikes fear in me quite like finding a cat peeing in the wrong place. But, I have never had this level. May it resolve in some way soon!!

I say use it, because it is such a shame for dishes to sit awaiting guests or interested descendants. But, I have a question re: lead. So, by ‘tableware’, it is meant dishes to eat off of. If that has been regulated since the 1970s, why are we to worry about lead in our everyday dishes (from Target, etc...lots of new items mentioned in recent thread)? Is it not true that regulation has stopped lead use/content? Or, is it that current dishes contain lead in a way that slips through the cracks of the regulation. Or, were we only talking about Pyrex in that thread? I thought I remember recent dishes being a concern. I am confused!

Great choice, @PeterPan, and @alisoncooksthat fireplace turned bookcase is super-cute!!

I stopped into Kohl's while on a grocery pickup today. First, WOW, it is the first time, I believe, that I have been into a major retail store except grocery stores during Covid...there was barely any inventory. I do not know if our local store is dying or everyone is online shopping or...But, I digress. They had both items on showcase. I first saw the Breville. Decent size - not overwhelmingly bigger than our current non-convection t.o. But when I saw that slim opening in real life of the Ninja foodi sp101...it is just way too slim for my taste...and the dishes I envision using in it.

He purchased the shorter one. I really would have been quite happy with it, being quite an upgrade from our no-frills toaster oven...which I thought was a huge upgrade in itself from a regular toaster=)...but...I have seen the phrase “Breville oven” tossed around so much around here, I thought I would actually look into what people were referring to. All this done this morning after the toaster oven went out, but BEFORE I learned he had already purchased the Ninja as a surprise. He is fine with returning. And, @Spy Carthanks for chiming in, your comments on other threads re:Breville ovens definitely made an impression. @Indigo Blue, I didn’t realize there was a microwave one, too. We do not have a microwave, though, and don’t miss it. Now, though, I do remember, we had a microwave/convection combo for my mom’s suite in our last home. And, yes, I think an air fryer is simply convection with a special basket. Maybe I am missing something, but we will go with the Breville oven pro w/out the air-fryer designation. And, I am thrilled it comes in black!

Yes, I have always considered the air fryer like my regular oven (feature) yet in miniature...but I have never gotten a wire basket to do it like the A F. Anyway, I am fine without that ‘feature’ fwiw. Looking at it, the most winning feature of the Breville over the Ninja (that is hidden somewhere in my house, previously awaiting Christmas=), is that the Breville holds a taller piece of meat (whole chicken/roast) and taller casserole pans.

The Ninja is mostly touted for its being an air fryer and its space saving benefit. Space is of little issue, and I can see me wanting everyone to keep it down...this would then become a constant battle=). For one thing, where do all those crumbs go when tilted up? And, it opens in back for easy cleaning? That seems gimmicky to me. That Breville model is convection but not air fryer. I have convection on my oven - use it all the time. A smaller version of that gives me what I want...an extra oven, along with being the toaster/food-heater-upper that fam needs. Hmmm....

Since our toaster oven just died this morning for good, I did research today and decided on the Breville Smart Oven from WTM research for replacement toaster ovens. Well, when I (out of politeness=) texted DH before pulling the trigger, he informed me of a Ninja purchase he made as a family Christmas present that he would go ahead and give me when he got home. He is allowing me to make the final decision (return for Breville or keep the Ninja). Thoughts? I really appreciate this! Here are the links to what I want vs what he purchased. (He likes the ‘flip away’ feature of Ninja...that is actually unappealing to me) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0793FPLY4/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SCGY2H6/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc

Walked this AM first thing. Vowing to get back into the habit that I have begun since July that got dumped for Thanksgiving cleaning (despite no real event), time change, slump post 20-in-20, and work travel with DH. Back to it today and it felt so good to be out at dawn! I am so sorry to hear you lost your walking canine companion @Lucy the Valiant

My first job was a movie theatre , as well!!

Everything she said is the same here.

Eddie Bauer "Women's Favorite Short-sleeve Crewneck T-shirt" in regular length (not sure if they are even avail in tall) are perfect for one of mine. She has a very long torso. Wears them all the time stand alone and as layering piece - good quality, wash well, great colors. She wears extra small; on her they wear closer to the body than on the model. https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/20902475/women's-favorite-short-sleeve-crewneck-t-shirt?sp=1&color=Midnight Htr&size=&sizeType=Regular

Thanks, to you also, Terabith! 💐 The family listens respectfully when I say I heard it on WTM! We couldn’t have homeschooled without the hive helping from early elementary (early 2000s...whenever forums began) to college applications and beyond (special shoutout to @Kareni for being my personal coach with college apps!); I will never forget the time our daughter’s hair got stuck in a brush on Christmas night and you all helped and cared (about a dozen years ago)! There’s so much, but, thanks Terabith especially for the monolith ... it has just opened up a whole universe of humor at WTM & our household!