You can buy bags of cubed cheese at Walmart or Costco. A platter with some cheese would boost the protein available. A breakfast casserole or three would go a long way, too. Since people are making yogurt servings to suit their tastes, adding a scoop of a cheesy, eggy, bacony casserole to their plate would work. Small plates. Small serving utensils.

Big hugs! My mom married a great fella two years after my dad died. As a married 27 year old mom of one, I still had moments when I wanted to scream at him, 'If you go away, my daddy can come home.' Sigh...there's always a bit of the small child in us. I, too, see red flags and I agree with getting out any sentimental or heirloom type things now. We did not. After 10 years of marriage, the his, mine, and ours became rather hopelessly combined. And the estate when my mom died was a mess. Mostly because she changed her will two days before she died. Sigh. I hope all the best for you and your family. Please stay in contact with your dad--he needs you far more than he knows.

One additional thing I'll point out....in our overseas situation, we made friends--good friends-- who are still a vital part of our lives today. Some of them were expats who moved back to the States and live near us by choice. That helps, for sure. Some of them still live in Europe....we email, FB, and Skype. Not everything is a loss...you'll gain, too. With all the ways to communicate these days, it would be so easy for kids to stay in touch with grandparents and cousins. Some companies pay for airfare for the family to go 'home' at least once a year. Opportunities like this don't happen every day or to everyone. My sons benefited in ways they don't even realize. And, I for one, am SO grateful **I** got to live across the pond. The opportunity to study varies phases of history, to see castles and cathedrals, mountains, rivers, and old architecture...loved it.

For us, a move to Germany would be a no brainer, no matter what the ages of the kiddoes. Perhaps you can find an international school for the olders so they don't have to learn in German. Or find a tutor to help them keep up in German. Connect with some military families to find baseball teams they can try out for. The culture and travel opportunities are life changing. Yep, it's a transition, but all in all I would not trade our scant 2 years in Belgium for anything!

Unless it's really cold, we fold the quilt down to the foot of the bed. We actually sleep under a sheet with a flannel sheet on top of that.

Try Undersummers If you look these up on Amazon a whole slew of other options will appear as well. I have Undersummers and something made by Jockey (if I recall correctly). Amazingly comfy! And NO chafing.

I'm doing better about getting an early morning yoga session in each day. Not getting as much walking in...but the weather is improving so I'll get some in.

You might start a garden journal...I used to faithfully keep one. Take photos and make notes... You can sketch out layouts, list plants that have like needs (full sun or shade, etc.) Local nurseries are a good place to ask questions...I learned a lot online too. Check out the gardenweb.com forums

Do it! We had the opportunity to live a couple of years in Belgium when the boys were tween and teens. We had a tiny furnished apartment close to two French bakeries. Mmmmm.... We were able to ship a couple of boxes of books over. Everything else went into storage here. We rented our house to relatives of friends moving to the States from South Africa. THe rest of our stuff we did in our two bags each on the airline. Most of Europe has good shops and you can find almost anything you need there. Bottled ranch dressing might be the exception. ;) The only thing I truly missed having was our Christmas stockings during the holiday season. Living overseas is a wonderful experience--I'd go to London in a heartbeat and explore every nook and cranny of England and Scotland that I could.

We rented a home where the master was in the basement and our kids were on the main floor. I hated it. It felt as if my kids were more vulnerable up there. As far as resale--keeping the master on the main floor is always good, especially if you don't have many steps to get in the house. Older folks grow less fond of steps as they age.

Layers are your friend-- hat, good walking shoes, and a rain jacket are essentials. We loved Oban....one of the most memorable meals we've ever eaten was fresh & hot fish and chips eaten as we sat by the bay. My sons still talk about that 'picnic'. Scotland is such a lovely place and the people are quite nice. The above poster is correct--do not forget Scotland is Scotland. I made a wee little joke about the matter once and was neatly but firmly put in my place. ;) I hope you can build in some time for just meandering about...finding some ruins or an interesting little village to wander about.

I've noticed the same thing. Clark's have been my go-to shoes for the days when I'm on my feet all day. Started buying them in the late 90s. In the last 18 months or so, it's noticeable that they are not the same quality. The ones I've purchased have not lived up to the Clark's reputation. Not comfortable, not long lasting material. Never heard of them called Clark's of Boston. By any name, they are losing me as a client. Too bad, since I've been such a good one over the years.

Quite a bit of new business flowing my way this week. I'm humbled and thankful....and jazzed. Some of it is potential and it energizes me to figure out to make it solid. Loving this thread...

I published quite a few magazine articles way back when...sigh....time truly does fly! Mostly photography, horse and dogs, travel, and a bit about homeschooling. I have first drafts of three romance novels on my shelf. I loved writing them, but the writing of them proved to me that I am not Nora Roberts. :lol: And that while I love a good first draft, I detest the rewrite and editing process. Currently writing a riveting non-fiction book on Real Estate--for the novice seller or buyer. Riveting, I tell ya! :laugh: Thank you for all the warm welcomes, everyone!

Hi Y'all! I'm dipping my toes in this thread....I've often read all your posts, but never posted. Taking a deep breath and plunging in.... :) I love narrative non-fiction...last week I read 'Lion' otherwise known as 'A Long Way Home' by Saroo Brierley. Powerful story of a lost boy and how he got lost and eventually found his way home. I have ties to India and both of my sons came to us via adoption. Always interesting to read other adoption stories. The other one was 'Hidden Figures' by Margot Lee Shetterly. Excellent book! I enjoyed seeing the space race through the lives of these 'computers.' I read fiction when I'm stressed or too tired to think straight. Right now rereading Nora Robert's 'Sea Swept,' an all time favorite. My goal is to read 52 books this year--and with all I see on your lists...whew, I'm inspired!

Right now, our premium will be going over our mortgage payment. Blech

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

Our BCBS health premiums jumped last fall to the tune of couple of hundred dollars a month. Just opened a notice that those premiums will jump an additional 20% by May 1st. Joy. We are self employed so we pay every penny ourselves. I'm a cancer survivor so good coverage has blessed us in the past. Once a year rate increases I can at least brace for and understand. Twice a year.....no thank you. I'm just so tired of it all.

Love mine! No problems with anything!

Whew! I was feeling kinda old there for a minute...

Yes....most definitely Harrison Ford. He was not a big star yet in those days...

Okay, am I the ONLY person on this board who saw the original Star Wars in the theater as an adult--a young one, yes, but an about to be married adult? I saw it and LOVED it....still love the original movie the best. The original SW was written with the Hero's Journey in mind. It is, if you look at it, the same story as King Arthur or even Harry Potter. (Young person with unknown power goes on a journey, learns from others, fights a battle, and returns victorious.) It was fun and over the top for 1977....I still love those characters the best. I'm not a fan of more recent SW offerings and I detest the other trilogy--jar jar binks--gag.

Oh yes, a gardening thread would be nice. It's so spring like and pretty here today that I'm having a hard time stopping myself from planting or tilling or something. Way too early for that! I have used those plans as a map or a guideline in the past. You used to be able to see what plants they recommended--maybe you still can. I would use that list and find similar or better plants at the garden center. Remember gardening is an art, not an exact science. Experiment and play--either way you'll come up with something beautiful. Chatting with a person at a local garden nursery can steer you in the right direction. Or you can do like I do...buy whatever seeds or plants catch your fancy and plant away. If seeds or plants work--as in live and thrive--more of those get planted. Failures may be tried again or not...

It can be very normal. The TAX appraisal is different than an appraisal of value. Your agent should be able to pull comparable SOLD prices for similar properties. That coupled with knowing what the house is like is a good way to determine value.

For sure they might be hard to work with...and being insulted is short sighted at best. I try to 'train' sellers to see any offer as progress--just counter back with what makes you happy, instead of being insulted. There are many buyers who can't seem to make an initial offer unless it's a lowball. Losing a few homes to other buyers usually cures that in my market.