I finished mine today....can someone tell me the best way to mail it? How do you protect it in the mail?

What about cover up? Like theater make up so its thicker and covers better?

That's going to VERY tough. The skin around the eye has a lot of variance (folds, wrinkles, etc) and shadows that will be hard to replicate. I wish I had better advice. I can edit out a LOT of things, but something covering that large of an area in such a difficult spot is not something I'd feel comfortable doing.

I hear ya!!! Things have been a bit crazy here too. I'm glad your cousin talked you into a shower!! I love baby showers :)

Thank you! I will definitely update when we have more answers.

LOL.....I kinda feel that way too. My head is swimming.

So, here's the deal: It wasn't even really an interview so much as a "this is what we're offering, let us know you're questions and what you decide" type thing. The guy told DH that he "presents himself well" :) But....we have some reservations and concerns. We spent a little while this evening making a list of questions. DH will call him back tomorrow to hopefully get some answers. First of all, pay. Money is REALLY, REALLY tight right now. There is no way (especially with a new baby coming) that we could afford to take a pay cut of ANY kind. We knew based on the job listing that this was a base + bonus job. We also knew that the "average" base + bonus pay for the trainee position was about $3,000-$5,000/yr more than DH is currently making, but we didn't know what the base number actually was. As it turns out, there are are 3 base rates - level 1, level 2, and level 3. We feel pretty safe in assuming that DH is probably one of the most qualified people they've had apply for this position (most are probably auto techs looking to move up with no other experience) and therefore would probably fall in the level 3 category (though this is on our list of questions). However, even at level 3, the base rate is $6,000/yr less than he is currently making. We need some STRONG reassurance that the "average" number they threw out in the ad (and subsequently in the interview) is a confident and fairly accurate number. The bonus is based on the performance of your region.....we can't afford to be in a position where he doesn't make bonus regularly. (Bonuses are paid monthly at the end of the month following the month in which they were earned) Second, schedule. He'd be working 7am - 6pm 5 days a week. Fine....except those 5 days rotate on a schedule and will include Saturdays as often as weekdays - even once promoted to manager. Sundays they are closed. This wouldn't bother me, except that all of DD5's gymnastics meets will be on weekends, all of DD12's softball tournaments are weekends, and all of DD12's show choir competitions are on weekends. I don't want to be doing all that by myself with 3 other children. I could also see the schedule posing a problem with DH's school. His classes all start at 5:30pm. We've put too much time and money into getting him to this degree to give up on it now. We need them to be able to accommodate that - even if it's a compromise where he is off at 5:30 and shows up 15min late to class. Third, location. It sounds like he would be here in town for the training portion. Once he's completed the training he doesn't HAVE TO take the first manager position open, but in the meantime, he will be rotated among stores - wherever they need help. I want to know what that means. Is that here in town (we have 2 stores) or would that include travel to other locations? If it includes travel, is the mileage on us? Also, what are the chances he will be able to secure a management job here in town? How often do management positions open up? How long is the training process? If he'll be done with school by the time the training process is done and there isn't a local management position available within a reasonable amount of time, he might be able to secure another position with his new degree anyway and it won't matter. I also want to know when and how vacation time is accrued - all we know is that it is offered. I want DH to at least be able to stay in the hospital with me when the baby is born. The management position is DH's dream job and I really want this to work for him. I'm so NOT a risk taker and this all makes me VERY nervous, but it could also be a REALLY good thing for us if it all worked out. I just don't know how to make that call. So.....that's the update :)

Thank you so much everyone!! I'm at the peds office challenging a med "allergy" for DD, but I'll update as soon as I get home and on a reg keyboard. He has a job if he wants it.....BUT we have some reservations & concerns we need to ask about/address first. I'll detail them when I get home.

Thank you!! I'm still waiting to hear something.

When I complained about a similar problem, my chef BIL suggested a little rice vinegar?!? I haven't tried it.

You're the best! Thanks :) I'm sitting here anxiously awaiting his call! He's supposed to get off work at 4pm (though he often doesn't leave until 4:30 or after) and is supposed to meet with the guy as soon as he gets off work. It's 4:46pm here.

Thank you!! I just really hope that all the details are right for us......and that DH is able to present himself accurately and with confidence.

I vote C as well.

DH is (or will be shortly) in a meeting with a hiring manager for a job that he applied for last weekend.....like right now! I've posted about this before, but he's a manual labor (auto mechanic) trained worker who is stuck working desk jobs (spinal cord injury that prevents him from working as a mechanic). The pay is pennies when trying to work a desk job without a degree - and there isn't much out there that isn't management (which despite 10+yr of experience in his field he doesn't qualify for). He's in school, working toward a BA right now - hopefully only 1.5yr or so left. This job is a manager in training position for Midas. I would so appreciate prayers/good thoughts that this job would work for him/us (hours, location, etc).....AND be his "out". His current job is just awful. The pay during the training period would be slightly more than he's currently making, but the pay after promotion would almost TRIPLE our income!!!! And the best part is running a shop is his dream job! I really, really want this to work out for us!

Sweet, thank you!

Oooh!! This is good to know, thank you! End of Jan would give me some time to try to sell some more stuff and make a little $$, so I have something to spend :)

LOL! Glad I'm not the only one. I make myself crazy sometimes. There is nothing quite like the rush from getting that awesome deal.....I LOVE nothing more than thrift and clearance shopping :) Thankfully, my DH is pretty laid back about it all, although he does understand my "need" to get going on some of it. He told me to just start picking things up here there and spread it out. Fine.....but again, involves decision making and I'm SOOOOO indecisive. LOL!! That would totally be me! They are already sorted by gender and generally by size. Most of that was already done when I got rid of everything. There is nothing neutral as we knew what we were having with both of the last 2. Yes, the bottles will be to supplement, and I know I don't need more than a few.....but it's still the idea that I have to choose a style/brand. I'm very concerned about "ruining" the nursing relationship with the use of a bottle, so I feel especially compelled to pick the "right" one. My oldest had a lot of issues after I had to give her a bottle for a week or so. I don't want to do that again. Our hospital will not give you a pacifier if you're nursing, because the LC's don't recommend using them in the first weeks, so no help there. Diaper bag....haha....anybody remember that thread of mine? Oy. I've hated every one I've owned due to being too narrow. I'm a big, open bag type person (even with purses). I found a pricey one that I think I would like, but.....I'm just not sure....it's crazy expensive. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. As far as clothing/blanket storage. I don't have any extra furniture anywhere, so nothing I can utilize until we find what we're looking for (after baby is here). I refuse to spend $$ on something to get us by until we do. I'll probably just do the laundry basket thing, but then again I'll still have to find a place to put them, lol. It's a matter of logistics. I don't want stuff laying around everywhere.....I need a plan of where stuff will go in the interim. I know that nobody can help with that, but figuring it out is occupying space in my brain right now, lol. I know I don't need much in the beginning, but I also know that we have a TON of stuff going on when baby gets here. We'll be in the heart of softball season and little DD will be competing (gymnastics), plus it will be DD's 13th bday the week I'm due. I don't want to be scrambling for stuff. It's mostly small and/or consumable stuff (lanolin, nursing pads, baby wash, diapers, wipes, nail clippers, socks, burp cloths, milk storage bags, bottle rack, etc), but it all adds up....and again, is taking up space in my brain. I'm fairly small too, but I only use the nursing bras with the formed cups, so you don't see the pads so much. I leak quite a bit in the early days, but not so much after the first few weeks. Hmm..... I have no inention of owning more than 3ish bottles, but again, still the fact that a decision has to be made.

We're also in the no undergarment camp :) That being said, I think I've decided against the keyhole back just for the sake of simplicity.

Haha!! I'm a researcher and planner. I always have to research my decisions and make sure I'm making the best decision (reviews, etc) and getting the best price (check for discounts, coupons, etc). All that takes time, so I always start early. I'm TOTALLY gun-shy though.....and often wait until the last minute....or even until it's too late to actually pull the trigger and DO something. DH is much more spontaneous. I often wish I could be more that way, but it's just not in my nature. I swear I could have $XX budgeted for something, have been planning to spend that $$ on that item for months, but when it comes time to actually press the "buy" button.....can't do it.

OMGosh! DH would kill me. He's ready, willing and wondering when he can schedule a snip for himself. I hate the idea of something so final, but alas.....there is NO WAY I could go through those first 18wk again. I really think I'll feel better when I can start checking things off the list. I think the running list in my head is what's getting me. I don't know where to start or what to do when.....what the best approach is, etc. If I could check some things off, I think I'd feel a little relief. I've never really done this from scratch. I had showers for DD12 and DD5, and saved everything so was all set for DS (except clothes - some friends threw me a mini shower for that purpose). I'm pretty sure that's part of my lost feeling too. It's like having a 1st kid all over again.....having to make all the decisions choosing this or that only with the added stress of how you're going to pay for it all, lol!

Oh how I wish you could too!! Even just somebody to hold my hand and walk me through it all. Yeah, I was worried about the dust too. I'll probably just use a laundry basket after baby is here and totes until then. I don't want to spend any extra $$ on something I won't need long term. It'll be hard enough to come up with what we need! This is our last....for sure, so I'll just sell whatever is the wrong gender after baby is here. **sniff, sniff**

Yeah, I don't blame you a bit for that.

yay for work!!

Sure is!

LOL! I used the last of my internet cheapies up awhile back!