Set the thermostat to a reasonable temp, turn down the hot water heater. Hold the mail/paper or have a neighbor pick it up. Lights on timers. Yard work arranged in advance. We have an arrangement trading off with our neighbors, so they come in and check on things periodically. We have aquatic animals that need to be checked in on every few days, so the neighbors do that. Do you have an alarm system? Make sure your emergency contacts have up to date keys and passwords. Let the alarm company know you're gone. We usually let the other neighbors know we're gone, too, so they can keep an eye out.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. My DH travels a lot, and it can be a hard adjustment. We miss him when he's gone. Is there a good pay off for the travel? A good salary? Good benefits? Is this a spring board for your DH, something that will help him move up in his career? I look at all of those issues, and I *know* that DH's travel is good for all of us, so that helps. If I were you, I'd opt not to go to SIL's house - that sounds stressful. I don't often travel with DH, for the reasons you mentioned - it's really not all that fun, unless I feel like herding the kids to do sightseeing during the day. Sometimes, depending on where DH is traveling, I'll do that, and we'll combine trips with a weekend getaway. That can be fun. But if it's stressful - skip it. Can you stay home? With your own routine?

We have a lot of local photographers here, so going that route is easy. As an alternative to Sears, though, there's always the Target Portrait Studio. Very inexpensive, and a quick route to "school pictures." We've used them in a pinch for holiday cards.

Yikes.

I'm so sorry. :grouphug: It is hard. Just give yourself - and your kids - permission to grieve, and try to ride it out. Like others have said, the grief seems to level off a bit with time - level off in the sense that it is not a constant presence in your life, but rather comes in waves.

My doc is very into detoxing, and I have a genetic mutation which renders me a poor detoxer. So detox is a big thing around here. :) Thorne Basic Detox Nutrients are a great place to start. You can order them on Amazon. Whole foods would be good. Or my doc recommends a Meditterrean Diet. (spelling? Oh my, not enough coffee yet!) Clean eating is your best bet, really - whichever route you choose. I have a gigantic list of supplements, but not sure you want all that info. Let me know if you do, and I'll pm it to you.

Wow. She sounds wonderful! How on earth did you find her??

Good ideas for the kids or the parents? DS's favorite babysitter lets him do her make up and hair. He is really into special effects, and always looking for face paint victims, er, subjects... She also shows up with activities - nothing big, just little dollar size kits with clay or art supplies (for artist DS, probably something different for her other kids). I plan activities, too, but invariably hers are more interesting! For me, I'm just happy when all goes well, and if she leaves the house straightened up it's a bonus.

I agree, if you're not menopausal or expecting that very soon, I'd see your doc. I also had another condition that caused drenching night sweats, and it had nothing to do with menopause. Do you have any other symptoms? (Menopausal or otherwise?)

We keep frozen cupcakes in our freezer, for DS's allergies (in case we need a safe treat to take to a party) - they seem to freeze well. :)

Great advice. Ex Officio sells pre-treated clothes, though as PP said, they are more expensive. Don't forget to treat your shoes!

Sounds within the realm of normal. I think you overdid it too soon. Just rest and baby yourself now! Hope you feel better very soon.

You might also consider asking about this on the General board - if not for specific curricula, then for ideas on managing everything while dealing with brain fog. There are more than a few of us with this issue, due to various reasons. I am fairly sure there are some board members with MS, and there are many with on-going chronic issues. I, too, have brain fog (in fact, lived with an MS diagnosis for several years, but my neuro issues were due to another chronic problem)... When we started homeschooling in PreK and K, I used workboxes. If you google Sue Patrick workboxes, you will find a lot of info. It was a good way to organize and manage our day - no matter what curriculum is used. It was *very* helpful in getting me on track, and keeping our day moving forward. You could help him decide what to put in the boxes, and load them at night (or weekly). I used a laminated sheet with pictures of things like snack, lunch, playground, etc to break up our day and our lessons, too. You could easily integrate that with Montessori inspired activities. Also check out Tot School, if you haven't already, and Tot Trays - for the Pre-Ker. Very workbox-ish, and you might be able to integrate the two ideas.

Thanks! I've thought about Dyson, but aren't they bagless? For asthma reasons, our allergist/asthma doc insists on bags. [sigh] But I'm having some trouble finding a handheld vac that uses bags. Bleh!

I can no longer lug our vacuum on the stairs. I would like a handheld model for doing the stairs. Does this exist? Something powerful, that picks up dog hair on carpet, HEPA, and uses bags (bagless is not as good for asthma). Any ideas?

That's cute. :) We like Whoppers, and those Robin's Egg whopper candies, those are usually okay, too. Although DS can't have them anymore due to a new dairy allergy. :( Peeps, Dots, hmmm... I can't remember more at the moment. Hopefully you'll find something good! This year, we lucked out and DH went shopping in Germany with a friend who has allergies - and they found some amazing things, so I'm not as up on Easter candy this time around.

I hope it's okay to link this. If not, someone let me know, and I'll delete. Here's a thread from a great food allergy board, with tons of easter candy ideas: http://foodallergysupport.olicentral.com/index.php/topic,6802.0.html

DS has nut allergies, among others (coconut was outgrown this year, but before now he's been allergic to it, as well). Since it's too late to order from Vermont Nut Free (my personal favorite)... I would (and have) try Target and other stores. When I resort to that, I generally check scan for anything made by Hershey's. I trust them to label for May Contains. They usually have something, but it can take some hunting. Are you only looking for chocolate bunnies, or do you need more candy suggestions?

Thanks!

Thanks for the update!

Oh! And their reviews (video) were extremely helpful in choosing a machine: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/videos-home/crew-reviews/espresso-machine-reviews

Seattle Coffee Gear: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/espresso-machines?cat=95 It's been a few years. I see they have an S9, but not a refurbished S7. Their stock may change periodically though. They are very knowledgeable, and you could probably call them. Maybe check the reviews on some of the other certified refurbished machines, too. :)

How about some good audiobooks?

I would take her. We've just come off of a round of strep *and* flu here. I would want her checked for strep. But I am not an "avoid the doc at all costs" type of person. When temps go over 102, I generally take the kids in for a check.

Yes, and Costco supports a higher minimum wage, and pays their employees accordingly.