R has a pantry. So it wins hands down. But I don't like the kitchen layout. Also S doesn't have a master tub. That would be a no go for my DH. We have 2 bedrooms on the opposite side of the house from us. It works fine and we can still hear the boys over there. And I agree with a pp poster. Make your laundry room/mud room 2x as big as you expect. This is our plan. Let me tell you what I don't like about it: We don't need the pantry in the kitchen; I wished we gone with more cabinets. The pantry and hall closet are close enough. Also, dishwasher in a *stupid* place. You can't open the bottom cabinets when it's open. Also the stove is in the island. We went and blocked off the opening to the dining room near the entrance and opened the wall to the living room. We use it as a den/piano room. We should've knocked down the "nursery" wall. It's an itty bitty room that got used for about 6 months. We could've had a huge pantry. Don't get me started on the laundry room. There's no room for dirty clothes in it. Whatever you choose, make sure you go over every room carefully so you can find the stupids in the plan. I was surprised by how small the big rooms actually were once we were in them with furniture and appliances.

check out their pinterest page for hints.

Brooklyn does 15. I think Philadelphia does 10.

I use Brooklyn Public Library as my main one and Fairfax Library as my back up. I let my Philadelphia Library membership drop, but I need to renew it soon.

or does it use diesel? We have different small engines that do all of these. I did once put leaded fuel in my mom's unleaded car. We were told to just put a lot of high octane unleaded in and it should be fine for a one time thing.

I've not used Thrive specifically before, although I did just place an order with them recently. However, I've used freeze dried food before. No specific recipes, I just substitute. I pretty much only use the chopped onions nowadays and I like the celery too. I've used the berries to add to cereal. Mushrooms are good as well. I bought the yogurt drops for the baby and meant to buy the corn and peas because they're excellent for snacking for the kids. We have chickens and cows so no meat for me. Plus I have nightmares of TVP from my childhood so I'm not going there.

No church for us today. The windstorm blew down a line in the building across the street from church so we had no power. My mom, dd, and I were all upset because we'd all actually dressed up and done our hair and makeup today. Versus my normal maxi skirt and flats mommy wardrobe. We could've gone to another ward 30 minutes away but we didn't think of it in time. So it's been a very weird Sunday with no church.

Cascarones. It's a huge Mexican tradition so if theirs a Hispanic grocery around you might be able to buy them there. We buy them at Walmart by the flat. We do small presents in our baskets like I did growing up. Also new clothes. I'd always get a new church dress for Christmas and Easter. I continue ue the tradition with my kids.

I agree with the pp. Our oldest DS died 7 years ago. He was severely cognitively impaired, among other things, so schooling for him was never an issue. We didn't at first, but eventually we did try to keep up with dd's schooling, but doing only a little when he was in the hospital. He was in too many times and for too long to ignore it. One of the reasons we hs was so she could be with her brother. She has years of memories with him because she was able to be home with him. After DS died we didn't do school for a few months we just needed to be together. I do want to mention we have a family friend who has an autoimmune disease that's very rare. Less than 10 kids in Texas his age have it. He's one of two that can walk. And he wanted to play football. His parents were very hesitant, but the nuero dr told them to let him because he needs to feel normal. He needs to be watched carefully, but he plays when he feels up to it. So use the time to grow your family together. Make memories and let them show their love. It's not something you can prepare for, but you can look back on the good times and remember that love.

Julie what do you recommend from the Guide? 9 labs is more in line with what we did in high school. 36 is what I did in college with dedicated labs. So I've wondered about the difference as well.

Your DSs shouldn't take up much time in K. 1 hour at most. I'd fold your DSs into your DD's history and science, if you wish. We don't do history or science until 1st. Only reading books. K for us is just phonics and math.

Thanks. This is one of the courses I'm looking into DD taking next year.

Julie, sweetie, please don't try to last it out. You deserve better. Get yourself and your DH the help you both need. Either he's lying, or there's a medical issue and he needs the help. It's not optional. He does not get to say no. Both of you seeing someone should be a requirement for your marriage. If you decide to stay, even temporarily, you deserve to be happier, and definitely not this low.

What works for us is to make sure there's no grass around the house. If we let it get bad then the scorpions come in. It's about time for us to cut again. I'll have to add some DE to the perimeter too. It works well for ant hills as well.

But...therapy is so overrated!1! Spend your $ on #s of cupcakes instead.

Shepherd's Pi and Berry Pi. How could you have anything else today? :lol:

It'll take some getting used to, but Feedly looks like it'll work. Boo on Google though.

I use it as enrichment. My DS loves the hamster on abcmouse.com so he'll play around and do activities to get stuff for his hamsters. But it's adding to what I've already taught him. We are a very techno family- 2 computers, 2 iPads, 3 iphones, and 2 tablets. I download a lot of educational apps, but I just consider them games. They're helps. I think children need books and paper to learn properly. Maybe I'm wrong, but we'll continue to use them as enrichment, not as curriculum.

Adding my voice to all those that can't express the sorrow we feel. Thank you for sharing so much with us. I've always loved your posts.

Option 3. I know you said he's 47, but he could conceivably teach part time at a university until he's really old. I had some teachers in their 70s when I was in college. My DH would like to get his Masters/PhD when he retires and teach. But for right now, he took a job that's not in his chosen profession just because it pays the bills. Not that he hates it, but it's not his dream job either. That's got to wait.

We've lived with my parents twice for about 4 months each time. It worked because we only had a little one. My mom lived with us for about 2 months at one point. She's since moved in with us since last summer when my dad died. We're trying to get her out (her house is across the street, but uninhabitable), but it's slow work. My in-laws on the other hand? Never work. I still don't feel comfortable in their house after 16 years of marriage and I doubt I'll ever be completely welcome. And having either/both of them in my house would drive me insane.

I've never been able to do a Russian join in one specific spot. It's god for joining the same colors though. I always just end up weaving in the ends later. You'll have to do some anyways with the start and end.

Yup, my mom is running into this over and over and over again while remodeling her house. People just don't want to work anymore. But I think WendyK is correct in that they dump you for an actual job rather than an estimate.

Me! We're at 40% with 33% not coming back even after sequestration. I think we're down to what DH made during training, 13 years ago. Based upon something you said a while ago, I think our DH's may have the same job. Or close to it- wearing green? We paid off our van 4 months ago and that's how we'll survive. Otherwise I don't know. I know DH said he can see the shock in the eyes of the guys at work. We talked tonight before he went in and I think we'll be ok, but it'll be very tough. We've been comfortable for so long and now it's back to college years budgeting. I just wish it had been an across the board cut. Every one could've had 2% taken off and not harmed anyone. And don't get me started on the fact that DH's agency is getting a significant amount cut more than some others.

I've got a coil binder, but it's a pain. I have a separate tool that I have to use to punch the holes and it takes forever. Now I'm trying to decide if it's worth the 30 min drive to Office Depot.