We are headed to Alaska in August. I was very disappointed when I tried booking things in early May, to see I could not get a cabin in Homer during the two weeks we will be in AK. I didn't realize everything would already be booked. We got one of the last rooms I could find in Seward (for sea kayaking- they had lots of kayak availability in Seward). Denali was also full. I looked at 37 establishments before I found a cabin with horrible reviews for $112 a night (no shower- that is $2 for 2 min. of cold water at the bath house). They had one cabin and a couple "lodge" rooms left. It looks like a tacky 1960's hotel. We are going to try Tundra Tours ATV near Denali. (3-4 hour tours with awesome reviews) We loved Hatcher's Pass when we were in AK a few years ago. We loved hiking Flat Top mountain in Anchorage. We saw several moose in Anchorage on the road to a big soccer complex. I have no idea where we were, but a local WTM person may be able to offer directions. We also had great pizza at Moose's Tooth (I think) in Anchorage. Book soon!!! Hope you have a wonderful time. It is beautiful!

24,879 I thought we were about 25,000 or a little bigger. Just looked it up. I voted incorrectly.

Carrie Ann I am amazed that they didn't just keep using a handful of names over and over again.

Oooo. Can I have the recipe? I 'm always looking for new vegan meals. Everyone here has a nice healthy gallbladder, so no worries ;)

Swim...lap swim with my son and dh Dance...I have no coordination for this And for super powers...teleport ;) I love to see new places but getting there I do not love

We only get to go once a year, so no way. I want the most for my time and money. We go during the "slow" seasons and I still often find the crowds uncomfortable after about 11:00-12:00 at the MK. Earlier in November is a winner in my book, but not Thanksgiving week.

My husband bought me one a few months back. The owner's manual is not very helpful. If you love you pressure cooker, would you mind sharing cook time and pressure setting for various types of beans? We are a vegetarian and vegan household and I would love to be able to cook beans faster!

Can anyone recommend a book to use as a "read aloud" with ds12 instead of Calico Captive? Something highlighting early American settlers lives or relationships with Native Americans (without overly graphic scenes) YKWIM. He loved Sign of the Beaver, and liked Blood on the River and Madeline Takes Command (I think that is the title).

Okay, I don't often enjoy blog posts so much that I have to share them, but TWTM's Fairfarmhand had this city girl enthralled with her lamb birthing story in her "feeding my family" blog (linked in her siggy). I shall never be a farm girl, but I never tire of reading great animal stories.

It has never occurred to me to have a kitchen rug, but I am totally thinking a foam, cushy type would be great for my tired feet. I shall now add kitchen rug to my list of items purchased due to the influence of TWTM: Story of the World Life of Fred Nancy Larson Science Steam mop Nutrimill Bosch The expensive dog food Keens Kitchen rug OMG, I am such a follower....wait, I have not purchased those much raved about pencils. What brand? Oh well, happy with our cheap mechanical pencils. See, I am not *always* swayed by shiny new things. Okay, gotta go buy my new foot-saving rug now ;)

If you have attended yoga classes, what do you like/love, dislike/hate about it? I went to my first class today. I am on the fence about whether to go again. I didn't really dislike it, but neither did I walk away feeling like it is something that I would love to do regularly. If you love it, what specifically do you get out of this?

Help me think through this. We have a dedicated homeschool room, but I am considering moving us out to the "cabin" (fully insulated heated/cooled building in the backyard that is unused.) Why? Two reasons. We have been frequently waking dh who works nights and I swear is becoming a lighter sleeper, and I think I just want a change of scenery. If you have a separate building talk to me about it. Am I going to really hate being separate from the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom? It going out in winter going to be a hassle? We don't get much snow, but it can be bitter in Jan and Feb. I have an only child (12 yrs) if that makes a difference.

Are field trips like museum admission acceptable? (I have found my ds12 is at a great age to explore museums etc because he is more patient and thoughtful about it than when he was an elementary student.) I could easily spend $60 in audible books though :) Are craft kits considered educational? Learning to knit, sew, make models etc?

When I was struggling in life with the fact that we would only have one child, another mom of an only shared School House Rock "3 is the perfect number" song. (A mom, a dad, and baby makes three) It has taken many years, but I finally have come to accept that 3 is the perfect number for our family. I fought against 3 long enough. Now I am at peace with 3. It is my number.

Yes, this happens frequently at our house too. One of our cats seems to have math radar and will come out of a deep sleep to reposition himself on the math book. Instead of mathematics, we say we do catmatics :)

That made me laugh right out loud...so funny. I could be taken for a crazy cat lady as I always have several, but none have ever been back sleepers. Very cute.

Have a wonderful trip :)

My first car was a 1995 Grand Am. When I was in a wreck and totaled it (air bags didn't work btw) I got a 1996 Grand Am. My sis had an '88 Grand Am and mom had a late 90's model Grand Am too. Dad appearantly liked buying them. We all drove them for years, but they really started to need regular repairs after the 100k mile mark. I can't remember what all we had done. I do know all three of us had to put in new alternators and mine kept leaving me stranded when I was pregnant with ds. While I loved my Grand Am for many years, I would be very reluctant to buy a 1999.

Katie, that is awesome. So happy for you!

Yes, I understand there are privacy rules, but as an Elder in my church I routinely go to nursing homes and hospitals and ask to see patients I do not know. If they are there, I am directed to their room. If a nursing home patient has been moved to the hospital, they won't give me any private medical info, but they do let me know they have been moved. I would google churches in her community and call the church. Ask to speak to the pastor (not the secretary). Even though she has been in the home many years, if she was in any way shape or form associated with a specific congregation or even denomination, I would call there first. Best wishes to you.

It may not be convenient for you to be walking all over the house, but since they are not really young, maybe they could be separated unless they are both listening to you read a shared lesson? If they can work and listen to music, maybe as suggested above, inexpensive headphones are worth trying for when they are in the same room. Good luck!

(Editing because I had a question answered in previous post...should have read them all) OP, sorry you are experiencing this! Hope it is resolved well.

Dh did something like this as a child. His mom packed up all his stuff...he was left with a mattress on the floor and a blanket. He had to earn his stuff back one thing at a time with acts of kindness and demonstrating responsible behavior. He is 40....it was a lesson he never forgot.

Pop Century. You can request a standard room in the 60's building (which is closer to the food court/store, and right by the main pool) and get a water view. These rooms are on the back side of the 60's building and overlook the water and bridge to Art of Animation. They have the benefits of a preferred room (great location), without the higher price of a preferred room! Make your request when you call to make your reservation. We tour in the off season, but Disney has always met our requests. One year we forgot to request the locations and were given a room really far from the buses/food court/ main pool. (The resorts are huge...lots of walking). We went back to the front desk and politely asked to be moved closer. They made the change super fast with no hassle. Enjoy your vacation!

My MIL has argued that ancient Egypt does not exist. She is a conservative Christian and somehow thinks that would be against the Christian faith to believe it was real. I ask if she thought that the pyramids were real and she said probably not.