I was going to suggest oboe, but on second thought, Faith's right. This calls for the nuclear option.

We have really enjoyed Everdell/ Pearlbrook. The artwork is lovely, and the gameplay doesn’t evoke the same, uh…aggressiveness as Catan. 😂 It does take rather a long time to play, though. (About 2.5-3 hours with the expansion.)

I’m no expert, but this sounds like a big ol' FERPA violation to me.

I am so sorry for your loss! They take a chunk of our hearts when they go, don’t they? I agree with the others. A lovely note and maybe some sort of treat (my go-to gift for my vet has always been some high-quality chocolate) would be perfect.

Quite possibly the world's cutest sea slugs. More cool sea slugs. Adorable bobtail squid And for the person who can't decide if they are a sci-fi geek or a marine invertebrates geek, there's this shirt.

Requiring basic veterinary care and spay/neuter is *too stringent*? Why bother with a contract at all? And honestly, Pawz is right. If this gal isn’t willing to make sure a “contract” is enforced, it’s pretty much worthless. I think maybe someone should make a call to the local rescue groups, and see if they would be willing to “sponsor” a number of tickets just to get the dog away from this woman. I know the rescue I volunteer with would absolutely scramble together a bit in order to keep a dog from this sort of situation. Ick. The whole thing turns my stomach.

I am so sorry for your loss, Laura!

Well, count me in with you, because I like it too. Maybe it’s because I needed a change. The part I really find useful is the new guidebook setup.

Got an email from Cognitive Surplus today about this gift box. I don’t know what’s in this particular box, and it will very likely sell out quickly, but a very lazy Santa brought dd21 the Mysteries of the Deep set as a stocking (we can’t hang actual stockings because of my adorable, troublemaking avatar) and it was lovely!

Woo-hoo! It’s the Unique Gifts thread! The holiday season has officially begun! 🥳

I just finished a couple of quick-to-knit shawls, and am working on a very simple lace scarf, all made with some fancy, “blingy” yarn a friend gave me when she moved last month.

This is where I am too. For me, masks are not a burden at all. Rather, I feel blessed to have access to such a simple thing that can prevent the spread of a disease that has the potential to cause me, my family, and others terrible harm. I find it mind-boggling that the same humans who wept together as a nation for the horrible, senseless loss of life on 9/11 are perfectly happy to allow (approximately) the same number of people die every single week- just so they won’t have to face the inconvenience of wearing a face covering. And before everyone piles on me, I’m not referring to children- or even adults- who have a genuine physical or psychological need to not mask. In fact, those individuals would (for me) fall into the category of people the rest of us should feel responsible for *protecting by masking ourselves*. I really wish that those who have decided that they are comfortable living their lives with greater risk would stop trying to shame those of us who choose not to take that risk. I mean, I don’t own or ride a motorcycle because I perceive that to carry greater risks than driving a car. But I have yet to have a motorcycle owner approach me in a parking lot and say “You know, you don’t have to drive that thing!”

What adorable kitties! I’m partial to Korg as a name to pair with Roland. Any boardie musicians want to back me up on that? 😁

Nodding, agreeing, and sending you virtual hugs, OP.

Well, darn! I’m so sorry! Fingers crossed for a mild case, speedy recovery, and no long term effects! 🤞

Too stinkin' cute! She doesn’t love posing for the camera at all, does she? 😉😁

Just checking in for an update! Hoping for some positive news soon! Please let the kiddo know he has a gaggle of hive aunties thinking of him!

I’d say it’s no more offensive than some of the political ads/ signs people stick in their yards. At least Halloween displays come down after Halloween. I will say that the best “tombstone” I have seen this year was for Internet Explorer!😂

If he can’t walk more than a few steps, yes, do call an ambulance. Is there some way you can call emergency services for him? I know getting my dd to call and make a simple appointment with her GP is like pulling teeth, so maybe making the call is part of his anxiety? If he knows the EMTs are on their way, and an ER visit is a done deal, it might be easier. Also, don’t YOU forget to breathe! I know this must be so rough on a mama's heart!

I agree. And maybe while you’re there, maybe you can pull a friend or two aside and give them your/ your dh’s cell numbers. You don’t have to tell them anything about his mental health issues or anything private. Just tell them *you’re* a worrier, and would they just keep an eye on him for *you*. “You know how stubborn teenagers can be about healthcare!” *wink, wink*

Poor thing! Asthma plus anxiety is a horrible combination! One seems to feed the other! I agree with others who say he should be seen. I know that means more stress, but high fevers and low O2 are nothing to mess around with. If he goes to an urgent care/ER, they should be able to give him a nebulizer treatment and order him a nebulizer and meds for home use, which will mean *less* stress down the road because he will be able to just keep some vials of albuterol on hand and not have to go somewhere for a treatment. Can you keep him on the phone long enough for him to do the swab part of a Covid test, then let him doze and call him back when it’s time to check the strip? Hugs to you! It must be extremely stressful for you trying to help him navigate health care from across an ocean!

I’m not sure if a place like that exists, but it sounds like you just drew up the perfect setting for a cozy mystery! You even have the perfect protagonist (spunky, sage homeschool mom) and her massage therapist sidekick!

I am so very sorry for your loss! She was a beautiful girl, and I am sure she knew how much she was loved!

*nods head rapidly in agreement* Pearl flutes are very well made, even in their beginner/intermediate models. The action is very responsive and so are the headjoints. A good headjoint will make a world of difference to a beginner flutist, because it requires much less effort to produce sound in the right octave, so you can concentrate more on those fiddly fingerings! Sighing, and kinda wishing I had never sold my Pearl...

I hope things are better and brighter today! 🤗