[Prayers / good thoughts please--kidney stone]

Prayers said for you. Kidney stones are terrible 😞

[~~~~~ Where are you traveling in 2024? ~~~~~~~]

We live in Alaska and  just flew to KS. We recently returned from a 1500 mile road trip from KS to Idaho. Youngest DS and I drove his SUV/ belongings as he’s transferring colleges to Univ of Idaho. 
 
Early June- 3 day weekend trip to Denali for camping/ hiking 

Late June- 4 day trip to Palmer AK and Hatchers Pass

15 days in July- hiking the Tour Du Mont Blanc (DH and I) 

August- returning to ID to help DS get settled into school 

Sept- 15 days to Japan ( DH and I) 

A couple road-trip pics included. 

 

[A boardie heard from blsdmama!!!]

Thank you for the update. I agree with others that she has such grace while living with this disease. She (along with her family) have been regularly in my prayers since she shared her diagnosis. 

My Dad passed from ALS and I will say that this is a life altering and difficult diagnosis that touches everyone in the family. 

 

[We need prayers right now (update in OP)]

What a good update. Continuing my prayers here for your family!

[We need prayers right now (update in OP)]

Praying here for you and your sweet boy....along with the medical staff tending to him. 

[Eclipse Travel]

3 hours ago, Faith-manor said:

We are considering this Alaska 2033. Not sure if we would drive all the way there and back. We need to do a lot of research on that one. It isn't in the lower part where it will be easier to determine routes, find places to stay, etc.

We would also consider Egypt 2027. We have friends in the path of totality, and might be able to stay with them.

I live here in Alaska and can say that most of AK is not accessible by roads. After quick research, looks like totality is only in remote AK so the logistical planning will look different than the lower part of the state that is more accessible. These locations are not road accessible.

[If you are up tonight, can I ask for prayers?]

Praying for you and K. 

[Puppy name]

Super cute pup!! 
 

Sophie or Luna. 

[Intense dreams]

2 hours ago, Terabith said:

Prazosin pulls the emotion out of dreams. It’s a med prescribed for ptsd nightmares, but it might make sense for you.  

My husband uses Prazosin and it is helpful.

[Medical people……Trazodone for insomnia? Update]

I was prescribed Trazadone for insomnia and though some side effects were too bothersome for me, I know several people who use it as needed for their insomnia and it works well. 
 

I was prescribed another antidepressant that works better for my insomnia so I use that now instead. 

[Apples and Bananas]

I learned that song at girl scout camp way back when

[My sister-in-law passed away this morning...]

What a terrible shock. I am so sorry. 

[I am very disappointed in my cake.]

I am sorry you worked so hard and are not pleased. That is so frustrating 😞 

I still think your cake is adorable though! and I am sure it is yummy

[Things I don't need but want]

a snowmachine 🙂 

[S/O childhood home]

I am finding all of the replies so interesting to read. I am from a military family and then married into the military so moving has been a way of life for me. I had mostly assumed that was mostly common only in the military, but I see that is not necessarily the case based on this thread. 

Let me see if I can remember accurately as it's been so many. I believe it's been about 23 apartments/ homes in total. 

Mississipi: born and stayed 2 years

California- 6 months in an apartment

New York- 3 years in a rental home

Nebraska- 6 years ( 2 different houses)

Japan- 3.5 years ( one of those years I was back in the states at boarding school for 9 months)

North Carolina- Dad retired to here (apartment first, then a home). This became my home base for much of my adult years while Mom and Dad were alive. Both of their families also lived here or VA so this felt like home in most ways no matter where I lived. 

I attended college in NC ( 2 different ones) and lived in several apartments/ homes during this time in several cities. 

Then military marriage had me moving again:

Mississippi- 6 months apartment

CA-  on base townhome

NC- back home

VA- rental home and then on post townhome

SC- apartment

WA- on post townhome

KY- townhome and then an apartment

NC- purchases a home here

Alaska- 3 different places with our final home being purchased recently after husband's retirement from 26years active Army service. This is HOME for us. Alaska has made us unfit to live anywhere else now and we love it here!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[So….what is on your menu for Thanksgiving?]

After so many years of making most of the dinner myself, since its just husband and me this year, we are going out to a local buffett with all of the fixings and multiple dessert choices  🙂

[My dad passed away yesterday.]

I am so sorry for your loss and that you did not get to see him before he passed. I agree with others that once you were at the hospital and safe, he felt comfortable leaving this world alone, on his own terms.

My father did the same when he passed from ALS. All of  us were at the house, as we knew he was nearing the end, and it was only after I left to take my son to swim training, Mom and my sister had run to the store, and my brother had stepped into the kitchen to prepare his next dose of morphine. Dad wanted to leave on his own and that was hard but I know that's common. 

Try and not let guilt creep in right now. Having your kids earlier would not have guaranteed that life would have gone the way you hoped. My boys were young when Dad passed and I agree it's hard to be with your children and aging parents at the same time, especially when our Dad's are not old themselves by any measure. My Dad was just 65. 

Hugs to you. Grief is hard and takes time. Be gentle on yourself.

 

[What do YOU want for Christmas this year?]

15 hours ago, Tenaj said:

I made a wishlist because my adult children were asking.  An Audible membership was high on it (even a month or two would be fun), a bunch of kitchen stuff - I need a wedding shower because everything in my kitchen is falling apart!  Measuring cups, plates and bowls, pans.  I just started an herb aerogarden and I wouldn't mind having another larger one to do lettuce in but $$.  Socks (sounds boring but I love some nice socks and I am always out of them because I don't like wearing shoes in the house.

As for socks, I love either darn tough or smart wool socks. Before moving to Alaska, I much preferred bare feet. Now.... I adore socks 🙂

[Hit me with your favorite taco meat recipe]

49 minutes ago, marbel said:

We love this birria recipe.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/beef-birria-recipe-5270810

Thanks for the recipe! Birria tacos are so good. 

[Hit me with your favorite taco meat recipe]

I love halibut and these tacos are yummy if you want to step away from the traditional meats for tacos.

We also make a lot of our tacos with moose meat too which is super good!

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/the-best-fish-tacos/

[5th Annual Hive Holiday Card Exchange!]

Love this idea!! 

[I got my dream job]

What a great opportunity! Congratulations!!

[Can we have a fall pet thread?]

Here’s my Newfs!!

[Would you get a Great Dane?]

Just now, whitestavern said:

Thank you!! He’s 17 months. He’s on the smaller side, about 123 pounds. I don’t think he’ll get much bigger. 

Not sure when Danes reach their mature height/ weight but I know our Newfies continue to grow until about 2yo. 

[Would you get a Great Dane?]

8 minutes ago, whitestavern said:

We literally just adopted one. Dh grew up with them and I always said I’d never get one. Famous last words 😂 They are extremely loving and just want to be with you all the time. They think they’re lap dogs. They’re pretty low energy. Ours is an older puppy and still fairly chill. They drool and drip water so I have junky towels in my kitchen and family room and catch them when I can. They eat a lot. Ours consumes 8 cups a day. They’re v majestic looking and everyone wants to stop and chat when you’re out walking. He doesn’t really seem bigger than our last two medium sized dogs (one Pyrenees and one Vizsla mix) until you’re around other medium sized dogs. If you have a good sized yard I’d go for it. I have no regrets. 

so cute!! How old is he?