Hey I'm shopping for a new sheet set for my teenage boy's full size mattress, and the sheets at Costco are all sateen which he doesn't care for. Where can I find a good solid cotton sheet? Amazon is making my head spin ... most of the sets are microfiber. Is 300 thread count too flimsy you think?

His dad took him in??

No words.

I know a family who is very wealthy where any 'gift' would kinda pale next to the rest of their house/décor/belongings. Fresh flowers look great and they like the gesture and 'get' the thank you. They are given lots of chocolates and stuff over the holidays and it gets too much. So I guess this is another vote for nice flowers.

Lame. She couldn't get in touch with you for four days? Sounds like they blew it off and didn't look back. I read that linked article. It made me realize I know someone like that (not me).

Goody, it's almost time!! I'm glad I'm on the west coast.

No practical advice. Just came in to offer my support. What a shock to read about it; I can't imagine going through it. But, wow, great advice here.

I can't wait till tomorrow evening :D

Now I'm just being nosy and checking back to see what happened.

I hope this doesn't sound insensitive, but what nationality/type of food would be expected? Some people rarely eat stuff like black beans and tacos while others would find it totally normal. If you can bring crockpots then you could put boneless chicken and do a shredded bbq chicken lunch. Have dairy free bread, gluten free bread, and regular bread. Chips. Cut veggies. Bagged cole slaw.

I'm considering joining our neighborhood garage sale day in May, and it would be the first time I ever have a garage sale. (I've also never been to one) How do I know how to price toys, kitchen appliances, books, and clothes in great condition? Do I need to do some homework and go to some around town to see?

Last season?? Why??????????? Ok now that I've gotten that out, I feel like I have to get ready to say goodbye. Carson/Mrs. Hughes- can they marry and still be employed at the house? It's not time for WWII yet, so I imagine they'll wrap up the show in the 1920's? Looks like Branson and Sybbie will be long gone, Cousin Isobel might just choose to stay single even though they tease us with the Doctor, and Rose is married and moved out. Mary, Edith, Cora and Lord Grantham, the Dowager... oooh there are so many possibilities. I always wondered if the show would portray how a family like that transitioned out of their old tradition and into the new ones of the 20th century. To be honest, that is kinda one thing I keep looking for. I want to see how they downsize and what happens to their staff as times change and people don't use personal maids and footmen anymore. That's a fascinating culture bit right there. I remember Mary laughing at her sister Sybil back when she said she wanted to learn how to cook before she left to the war (or to nursing school?). Mary couldn't imagine why on earth she'd need to learn how to cook. edited to correct Cousin Violet to Cousin Isobel.

Well, hopefully you'll know soon enough. Just go with the negative for now. Weird things happen with periods; it could just be acting up.

Wow! Congratulations. I hope you have a healthy pregnancy :)

Add me to the waiting-on-the-test group!

lol @ 'dropping its remainder eggs like crazy'

I've had my doorbell ring on a Saturday afternoon with a well-dressed, gift-toting family of 4 standing outside eagerly smiling at me. When they saw my face and that I was not as dressed as they were, they suddenly realized the invite was for *next* Saturday. I invited them in, but they declined and went home. Yes, they came back the following Saturday... they were so embarrassed (which I would be too) but I kept trying to put them at ease and just blow off the little mix up.

Right on. I agree with the bolded part. I am free to leave my husband and any abusive marriage lickety-split. I have God given rights that no man/husband can take away. I think the 'defer to the husband' part works in a healthy marriage that has good communication and mutual trust and respect. People tend to jump to the conclusion that it means you're getting abused, but that's hardly the reality. But we do use religious convictions as parameters for what's ok and not ok, so I'm not going to stick around if DH starts doing things that are outside of those. If my husband breaks from that religious bond then I don't feel bound to him either. OP, differing parenting styles stinks. it's happened often, but like some said previously, if it's small enough stuff, then it kind of depends on who is with the kids. If it's a bigger deal, then it might be worth talking about it and finding an agreeable solution. Hope it gets better... there are so many big decisions to make with kids!

An acquaintance got pregnant from what she said was a 'second ovulation' that happened near the end of her cycle right before she was expecting to start. That's why they weren't using any protection. She was over 40.

I hear you OP! I blame on my having to be IN the kitchen so friggin much during the day... I mean the food is RIGHT THERE!!! All kinds of foods... *sigh* I get envious of DH from the aspect that he is busy commuting or doing some thing else (outside of the kitchen or even the house) and so he just comes in to eat and then walks out again. Much less temptation because he is 'busy' elsewhere while I am 'busy' where there is FOOD :D No great advice from me. I started tracking calories this week again on the Lose It app and it sure makes you realize how many calories you're blowing on popping a thing or two here and there in your mouth. I think it's mental and you just have to say 'nope, not gonna do it'. I find if I walk a mile or two a day it helps me feel 'good' in that I'm just naturally not tempted to stress eat.

Hope it's an easy answer.

I'm not pregnant, but this winter when I had sore throats or dry throats that wouldn't get better I ran my humidifier when I slept. Some days I ran it in the room I was sitting in. It helped a lot compared to the nights I slept without it. Spoonful of honey? Slice or shred some fresh ginger and put it in the hot water to drink. Short naps throughout the day (at least one?) helped my throat feel better; I noticed it didn't bother me as much when I woke up from sleep. (maybe because I had that humidifier running!) But seriously, you probably need a nap to help your body get better especially since you're pregnant.

Wow, thank you all SO MUCH!!! You've really helped lift a burden. I'm not s good shopper, and this is new territory for me.

My 12yr old daughter wears hijab and is looking for a nice outfit/dress/skirt for her uncle's wedding in May. She has teen taste but is a size 12 in kids which makes all her 'dress' options make her look like a little girl. Plus, all the party dresses out there right now dainty, big skirted, flowery sleeveless, and short! I know we're going to have to be creative by using cardigans and maybe loose pants or something, so what ideas do you have for us to try? I went to Macy's and Nordstrom yesterday to see what was out there. She can't fit into anything Juniors sizes.. she is very little, like I said, a size 12 or 14 in girls. The wedding is evening and dressy but not 'formal'. so the main criteria: Long enough sleeves to cover arms (or with use of cardigan) Long enough length to go to ankles (can be loose pants or skirt or dress) Not tight Girls size 12 or 14 nothing too frilly or flowery :D any input will be appreciated!

when my daughter was about 4yrs old I bought the Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD due to overwhelming recommendations from this site. She watched (and loved) that for a few weeks. Of course she had access to letter puzzles, and other print material. Then, I would point out to her some easy words and put my finger under them to show her that letters make words. Later, I used Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons doing one lesson per day or as wanted (she was still 4 at that time so I was just experimenting to see if she was open to it, which she was). As we began KG last fall I made sure to increase the lessons so that we were doing one a day or at least 4 times a week because repetition is important. I used some BOB Books in addition to 100EZ Lessons and she did really well with that as her introduction. Now I'm getting the early readers from the library, and she can work through most of those.