Yep. Pop music is for concerts, marching bands are for halftime. I’d rather see someone wearing just a bikini and a snare drum than a tastefully dressed pop star during the best part of a football game.

My youngest emits very specific odors depending on what illness he has. But only I can smell it. One virus smells like a bowling alley ashtray, a different virus smells like a macaroni and cheese pan after it's been soaking in the sink. Since he's the only one who smells like that, and I'm the only one who can smell it, I think it's a shared "superpower."

This is why I hate showers. No one remembers the rude host (and often may not even know who it is), so the blame for any faux pas gets passed to the "guest of honor". I adamantly did NOT want a baby shower when I was pregnant with my oldest. DH and I have been together since early high school, so it was too weird to me to go from "no blankets and adult supervision rules" to "invite grandparents to celebrate the aftermath of the no-pants dance". We were married and in our 20s, but still... no. Anyway, when a high school friend found out I was not having a shower, I think she partially assumed I didn't have enough friends to host a shower (not true, turned down several offers) and also thought it would be a nice occasion to set up a sort of high school reunion (whyyyyyy??). She ended up calling every female classmate she could find working contact information for and tried to get them to come to my "baby shower". 500+ in my graduating class, so many of these people I barely knew! Fortunately, someone tipped me off. I ended up going out to lunch with her and just a couple other friends (who did bring gifts, and I sent them thank-you notes), but I'm still mortified that so many people think I was so desperate for shower attendees that I had a mutual friend spam everyone in the yearbook. As if I didn't have enough of my own cringe-worthy moments in life, now I have to shoulder someone else's. Geez.

This is me with Trader Joe's. I've tried at least six times, but I always walk out confused and empty handed. The employees are always kind, but it feels like I'm, um, socially outclassed, haha. It's a bit awkward.

A family member works at a shoe company and buys my kids their shoes in the next couple sizes up for like $1/pair (returns, display models, slight imperfections, etc.). We have Rubbermaid bins of shoes for kids to grow into. Then my 11yo grew FOUR SHOE SIZES (and I think we skipped one) in nine months last year. So not only did he need new sneakers that we didn't have stored up yet, he needed sandals and baseball cleats (ended up buying three pairs) and nicer shoes and hunting/snow boots. I buy as much second-hand as I can, and my dad sends hand-me-downs from my 15yo brother, but still I spent a fortune in shoes last year. I'm dreading it happening again with the same child this year... plus the next one in line. At least we're prepared for him. I've been experimenting with only going to Costco every 5-7 weeks, which ends up being about $700 just for the food portion, and I have to bring someone along to push a second cart. The employees always ask me if I'm throwing a party. Not really, I just have three boys (although it's kind of like a loud party where the guests never leave...). The next several years should be fun, when the older two become full-fledged teens and the youngest starts inhaling everything in sight for every meal, not just breakfast. Real conversation last week - Me: "Do you want a smoothie, cereal, or eggs?" DS6: "Sure, that all sounds good." I'd get a job in 7 years to pad the grocery budget, but I'm pretty sure I'll need the time to shop more often, too!

We buy all our produce there except shredded carrots; applesauce, canned goods (I make my own coffee creamer so we go through lots of sweetened condensed milk), dry pinto/black/northern beans, apple/orange juice, gluten-free pretzels, strawberry jelly (we don't use enough to warrant a Costco-sized jar), rice chex/rice krispies for making muddy buddies/treats, taco shells, jarred garlic, baking powder, powdered/granulated sugar, chocolate chips, espresso-roast coffee, butter (I have about 25# in my freezer from holiday prices), milk, sour cream, eggs, sliced cheese (DH LOVES the habanero jack), block/specialty cheeses, GF Hot Pockets (for "oh no, the leftovers are gone!" lunches). Seasonally, I stock up on popcorn kernels, molasses, arborio rice, no-crap-added ground sausage, and GF specialty items when they have them 2-3 times a year. I used to buy toasted sesame oil when they had it, but I have a sesame allergy now and can't use it. The chocolate almond milk is better than any I've ever had, like melted ice cream. I can't find an equivalent in any other store brand or name brand. It's a very infrequent treat (like yearly or less) because I already drink enough sugar in my coffee. The only things they carry that I don't buy there are gluten-free pasta (I buy Barilla in bulk on Amazon), things that are not GF-labeled or cross-contaminated (corn tortillas, nuts, lentils, certain spices, etc.) and the stuff I need Costco-sized quantities of (rice, oils, plain Cheerios, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, frozen fruit/veggies/quick foods, meat, spices).

Just a couple hours ago, we were playing ping pong and talking about LeBron breaking his points total last night. Shocking indeed.

January menu - the "final-but-will-probably-change-eleventy-billion-times" edition: 1/1 - Red Beans and Rice, Salad Hamburgers, Tater Tots, Salad 1/2 - Homemade Pizza/Breadsticks, Salad Red Beans and Rice, Brussels Sprouts 1/3 - Junk Food Night 1/4 - (Lunch) Bacon Spinach Parmesan Pasta, Salad (ran out of leftovers!) (Dinner)Tilapia in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Rice, Brussels Sprouts Steamed Carrots and Corn on the Cob 1/5 - Sheet Pan Honey-Dijon Chicken, Broccoli and Carrots, Potatoes 1/6 - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, Green Beans Chicken Noodle Soup, GF Soft Pretzels, Applesauce 1/7 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad Cucumbers and Carrot Sticks 1/8 - Homemade Pizza, Green Beans 1/9 - Pulled Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Corn or Peas Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits, Butternut Squash (I had to use the ham, it fell out of the freezer and shattered the container) 1/10 - Junk Food Night 1/11 - Pulled Pork, Baked Potatoes, Corn, Leftover Green Beans/Squash 1/12 - Chili, Tater Tots, Apples 1/13 - Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Roasted Broccoli 1/14 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad 1/15 - Roasted Italian Sausages, Carrots and Onions, Mashed Potatoes 1/16 - Smoky Black Bean Soup, Rice, Pupusas, Salad (thanks to whoever mentioned this soup earlier, it's been a long time since I've made it!) 1/17 - Junk Food Night 1/18 - Chicken Pot Pie, Salad (or another veggie if the salad is gone by then) 1/19 - Baked Fish, Rice, Frozen Veggies (green beans or broccoli) Leftovers/Chicken Nuggets (I think? DS11 wasn't feeling well that night and I didn't cook) 1/20 - Mock "Chik-Fil-A" Chicken Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts 1/21 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad 1/22 - Mock "Chik-Fil-A" Chicken Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries 1/23 - Italian Wonderpot, Pao de Queijo, Salad (also making a pot of Cauliflower Chowder for lunches for the next few days) 1/24 - Junk Food Night 1/25 - Pork Chops, Seasoned Rice, Carrots, Salad 1/26 - Turkey, Stuffing, Potatoes, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, GF Bread (no more room in the freezer for the turkey, so it's chillin' in the fridge) 1/27 - Turkey Leftovers 1/28 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Peppers and Onions 1/29 - Turkey Tetrazzini, Carrots 1/30 - Pinto Beans and Chorizo, Rice, Broccoli 1/31 - Junk Food Night *** So that's it! The freezer and the downstairs fridge are packed, pantry will be stuffed once the Subscribe and Save order gets here (every six months - end of January/July). I can probably skip Costco again in February (we went seven weeks between trips and needed two carts, fun times). We've had very little food waste so far, just some icky lettuce leaves and a couple apples that were too far gone. I've put chili, black beans, and refried beans in the freezer for later meals. And now that I have a second Instant Pot (a 3qt, it's so cute), I've started making yogurt again! Hopefully the inevitible bouts of winter illnesses won't derail things too much.

Just an FYI on "cheaper alternatives", even if something is naturally GF, the safest brand without cross-contamination might be double the cost. Bulk bins are not safe. Cheap lentils are not safe (I buy the Palouse brand on Amazon, but they are double the cost of the ones at Aldi - DH did react to the store brands). Regular oatmeal is not safe (and GF-certified oats are often organic, which costs more). Store-brand nuts usually have a cross-contamination label (Planters are okay here but others have issues, and Nuts.com is usually fine). So keep that in mind when people recommend subbing oatmeal for cereal and lentils for meat. Sticking to specific brands isn't going to make the cost savings as pronounced as it would with someone who doesn't have to read labels. DH has celiac and I have a wheat allergy. We eat every single meal at home (or bring it with us), shop at Aldi and Costco, and average about $975/month in a low-moderate COLA. It's high, but we also can't order pizza, DH can't go out to eat at work, sometimes I have to feed extra kids who are used to gluten-filled meals (and I am NOT cleaning up tacos and rice after six kids, sorry), and we don't have relatives ever feeding us because we eat before we go (or bring it with us). And I know GF hamburger buns are expensive, but sometimes you just need a freaking burger. Still cheaper than a restaurant, but you can't hide it from your grocery bill in a separate category.

It's not a dinner recipe, but sometimes I cook quinoa in apple juice with chopped apples, cinnamon, and vanilla and eat it for breakfast. I usually add milk and a pinch of brown sugar to my bowl.

January menu - the updated, when-am-I-supposed-to-grocery-shop-with-this-ridiculous-weather? edition: 1/1 - Red Beans and Rice, Salad Hamburgers, Tater Tots, Salad 1/2 - Homemade Pizza/Breadsticks, Salad Red Beans and Rice, Brussels Sprouts 1/3 - Junk Food Night 1/4 - (Lunch) Bacon Spinach Parmesan Pasta, Salad (ran out of leftovers!) (Dinner)Tilapia in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Rice, Brussels Sprouts Steamed Carrots and Corn on the Cob 1/5 - Sheet Pan Honey-Dijon Chicken, Broccoli and Carrots, Potatoes 1/6 - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, Green Beans Chicken Noodle Soup, GF Soft Pretzels, Applesauce 1/7 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad Cucumbers and Carrot Sticks 1/8 - Homemade Pizza, Green Beans 1/9 - Pulled Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Corn or Peas Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits, Butternut Squash (I had to use the ham fell out of the freezer and shattered the container) 1/10 - Junk Food Night 1/11 - Pulled Pork, Baked Potatoes, Corn, Leftover Green Beans/Squash 1/12 - Chili, Tater Tots, Apples 1/13 - Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Roasted Broccoli 1/14 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad 1/15 - Roasted Italian Sausages, Carrots and Onions, Mashed Potatoes 1/16 - Smoky Black Bean Soup, Rice, Pupusas, Salad (thanks to whoever mentioned this soup earlier, it's been a long time since I've made it!) 1/17 - Junk Food Night 1/18 - Chicken Pot Pie, Salad (or another veggie if the salad is gone by then) 1/19 - Baked Fish, Rice, Frozen Veggies (green beans or broccoli) 1/20 - Mock "Chik-Fil-A" Chicken Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries 1/21 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad 1/22 - Italian Wonderpot, Pao de Queijo, Salad 1/23 - Pinto Beans and Chorizo, Rice, Roasted Cauliflower 1/24 - Junk Food Night ****** I've only been shopping once so far. Heading to Costco this weekend, no idea when I'll get to the regular shopping. Weather has been... inconsistent lately. We didn't eat most of the chili from Sunday, so I labeled it and tossed it in the freezer for a "quick meal" later on. Lunch every day has been leftovers, except today I did chicken nuggets because we had to leave the house quickly. Those don't make a huge mess like taco leftovers would. Breakfast was mostly smoothies, baked oatmeal, leftover breakfast casserole, and stuff out of their "food boxes" my mom got them for Christmas (cereal, Larabars, etc.). I did buy a couple boxes of gluten-free donuts at Aldi for a special weekend treat. I might bake some muffins or something this weekend. Might as well have the oven on while it's 7 degrees outside.

The Euclid Alternative, season 2? I think that’s the episode with the “driving simulator” and trying to make him get a license.

I’m a Truman grad, and it might be worth a look, although it’s certainly smaller than a flagship or large state school. The stats, rural/ag culture (my junior interdisciplinary seminar class was “Rural America”, taught by a professor who also lived on a farm), and affordability sure fit though. I don’t know much about the librarian career field, but I would assume a liberal arts undergrad background would be a plus when/if applying to grad school for an MLIS. One of my music major classmates ended up going that route. And if nothing has changed in the football program in 15 years... no one will blink an eye at continuing to root for K-State, lol. It’s DII, anyway.

It might have to do with the effect of honors classes on weighted GPA, and schedule conflicts between arts courses and honors classes that are only offered in one section at the same time at some schools. I had to drop from honors to regular English junior year because it was only offered at the same time as our highest concert band. I ended up with a mentally unwell new English teacher that year who did absolutely nothing except have us write a Halloween poem and provide talk therapy. Good for the GPA, not good for college preparation though! Also, my school district had issues with the ridiculous, stereotypical “jocks vs. nerds” type thing, so many in sports were intentionally staying away from honors and AP courses from middle school on because it “wasn’t cool”. Kids with academic interests had bully targets on their backs, and the teachers were often frustrated by inquisitive students, too (not a lot of energy left over for questions after dealing with behavior issues). This was a lower-middle class, Midwest, suburban-ish school where maybe 1-2 kids a year went to an elite local university, and I’m not certain our guidance counselors could name all the Ivies. I don’t care for pressure cooker educational environments, but I seriously hope things have improved a bit since then.

GF beef bouillon - Orrington Farms makes granules, and I believe the low-sodium beef is labeled GF. Our more expensive local chain carries it. I use the jarred paste stuff from Sam’s, but that wouldn’t work if the recipe needs powder specifically. I haven’t figured out a sub for canned/condensed consommé. There’s only one recipe I wanted to use it for (“stick of butter rice”), but I found a recipe somewhere that uses beef broth and GF boxed French onion soup (Pacific foods - I think Vitacost carries it).

January menu - the updated, I-haven't-been-grocery-shopping-since-the-last-decade edition: 1/1 - Red Beans and Rice, Salad Hamburgers, Tater Tots, Salad 1/2 - Homemade Pizza/Breadsticks, Salad Red Beans and Rice, Brussels Sprouts 1/3 - Junk Food Night 1/4 - (Lunch) Bacon Spinach Parmesan Pasta, Salad (ran out of leftovers!) (Dinner)Tilapia in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Rice, Brussels Sprouts Steamed Carrots and Corn on the Cob 1/5 - Sheet Pan Honey-Dijon Chicken, Broccoli and Carrots, Potatoes 1/6 - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, Green Beans Chicken Noodle Soup, GF Soft Pretzels, Applesauce 1/7 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad Cucumbers and Carrot Sticks 1/8 - Homemade Pizza, Green Beans 1/9 - Pulled Pork, Mashed Potatoes, Corn or Peas 1/10 - Junk Food Night ****** Our weeknight schedule is going from "home every night" to "someone has something somewhere every night" gradually over the next 3-4 weeks. Since fast-food isn't an option, it's time to get creative again.

We gave DS10 the new Minecraft: Builders and Biomes board game for Christmas, and we are surprised at how much we all enjoy playing it. It's great quality (Ravensburger), and doesn't require you to know anything about Minecraft in order to play. It incorporates a lot of familiar strategy gameplay devices (three actions per turn like Forbidden Island, collecting resource types like Catan, connecting land/biome types like Kingdom Builder), but with a Minecraft theme.

And they are still there! I would just save them and make "Valentine's Balls" (heh...), but I need the room to put ping pong balls in the freezer for a science project. I promise, I do keep things besides balls in my freezer.

I hated our Bosch too. We got the lower-end model without heated dry and it was so mildewy and moldy and nasty on the inside, all the time, even with frequently cleaning and leaving the door open between loads. The sprayer arms clogged completely every couple months. It didn't want to run back-to-back loads without sitting idle for a couple hours. It was useless. We replaced it a couple years ago with a Maytag with the built-in hard food disposer (and a heated dry cycle!). I run 2-3 loads a day, and so far it's worked well. I've only had to clean out the sprayer arms twice.

I think this is it. At least, this is the one I was quickly looking up in the store yesterday to make sure I got the right amount of red peppers. It’s bookmarked on my laptop. If that one is different I’ll come back and link it, but this looks like the right recipe. I can’t eat anything tomato based or citrus based (GERD), and tilapia just needs... something on it, lol. This works!

I did really well in 2019 with meal planning. I still have every month's menu saved on my computer. It's funny, some of the things on the January menu I don't remember making AT ALL. I can't even figure out from the menu what it is, let alone why I would make that. January 4 - Tortilla Chicken and Creamy Salsa - I'm assuming that's some sort of chicken skillet dish?? No clue. I don't even eat salsa. January 15 - Instant Pot Chicken and Orzo - Oh, now I remember this one! It was a disaster! You cannot cook gluten free orzo in the IP, it sinks to the bottom and burns in a gelatinous heap. January 24 - Tex-Mex Black Eyed Peas Casserole - I remember not really liking this, but having leftovers that seemed to double every time you took a serving out. Live and learn. We're finishing out the year's meals with Ham and Lentil Soup and Gluten Free Soft Pretzels tonight. Tomorrow we're having a family board game day, and I'll be setting out appetizer-type foods all day long - meatballs, sliced sausages, chips and dips/queso, pizza, fruit and veggies. And cookies. I still haven't finished making Christmas cookies. There's a tray of uncoated Oreo balls in my freezer. January's menu, so far (weeknight dinner/weekend lunch only, breakfast is fend-for-yourself and weekday lunch/weekend dinner is leftovers): 1/1 - Red Beans and Rice, Salad 1/2 - Homemade Pizza/Breadsticks, Salad 1/3 - Junk Food Night 1/4 - Tilapia in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Rice, Brussels Sprouts 1/5 - Sheet Pan Honey-Dijon Chicken, Broccoli and Carrots, Potatoes 1/6 - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, Green Beans 1/7 - Tacos, Beans, Chips and Salsa, Salad

That's interesting.... I read Franzen's first novel, The Twenty-Seventh City, and wanted to like it so, so much because of the subject. And then it went completely off the rails the last 40-50 pages. He wrote himself into a corner, but I hoped his later novels would be better. I'll lower my expectations.

Plungers are used as trumpet mutes for jazz band. Crown Royal bags are the perfect size for a harmon or cup mute, to protect them from getting too dinged up.

I was going to guess that she's a trumpet player. My list as a 13yo had things like "toilet plunger of a specific size - NOT super wide one at Walmart!" and "the purple felt bag from a bottle of Crown Royal".

Not only do none of mine have ribbon, some of them are wrapped in the brown paper Amazon uses to stuff its shipping boxes. I think it looks kind of cool, like old timey parcels.