:iagree: But I grew up as a cat person with a mom who is definitely a dog person. Cats have adopted me from the start. They are clean, independent, dignified, and easy. They've cleaned my babies heads when they were born, stood guard over five newborns like little armies, told me "get lost" when I needed to get away for more than a couple hours (the dog would have pooped/peed everywhere!), and broken my heart when they passed. And they are so clean. My lab sheds sooooooooo much. And what she tracks in? Barf.

Yeah, Irish stock here, too. We joke that's why my oldest dd and I could probably literally live off potatoes for just years. Seriously.

Another interesting article. I'm signing up. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/you-say-you-eat-three-meals-a-day-this-app-proves-you-wrong_5602f3f3e4b00310edf9ba42

Well, I do know a blog. They do outings around Cape Town and I just love love love the pictures and commentary. http://www.se7en.org.za/

Yes! It's "Do I scare them with the crazy in my life or just talk about cats and knitting?" :lol:

Great.

It depends what you mean by boring. It feels like my life is a constant stream of bad luck and ridiculousness. Like my childhood was nonstop of the weirdest medical things. But day to day? Pretty boring. I'll have kid-free family or friends ask me what I'm up to and I'm like "Math? We do spelling, too. And violin. But that's most of what I do." :lol: I think compared with a lot of people I know in my social circles, my life is fairly boring. No European vacations, no world changing research, no new businesses, no inventions, etc. So unless they want to talk kids, I sound boring.

Ds and I biked 8.6 miles yesterday with a preschooler who sang Christmas songs and any words she could think of to the LoTR theme songs. So I think I deserve a medal or a cookie. I didn't get to Krav. AF :cursing: And there is no Krav tonight for Yom Kippur, but I'm busy anyway. I'm going to try to go tomorrow night.

There is a monoculture problem with plant life, as well. Notably corn.

It depends. Usually I love it, but we had a lot of allergies to deal with and I was paleo for awhile and it TOTALLY killed my lifelong love of cooking. I'm finally getting out of that funk now that we're just eating whole foods.

I would think so. Some people think paleo=meat meat meat but really it's supposed to be vegetable heavy. However, some of us just feel hangry the whole time, like below, so more meat has to be eaten and even then isn't enough. Well, I don't know if I'd agree with you here for everyone. Legumes are totally out for paleo folks, first of all. I hate meat. Really. I like fish, but never can eat more than a nibble of steak because of texture and taste, mostly. But when I went paleo for my health and allergies? I could eat two steaks and be famished. I'd eat my weight in nuts, eggs, vegetables, but never ever felt remotely close to full. My entire existence was three years of hangry. It was awful. Not to mention financially devastating. I'm kind of flexitarian. Mostly pescetarian (1-2 times a week tops) but I eat meat on rare occasions in something because I have pretty nasty anemia and I can tell when I need more. I don't think there's one right way for anyone. But I do believe in Pollan's motto of "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."

The Wales Grey is a bit darker but so pretty. It looked nothing like on the paint chip. I recommend asking them for a sample. It's less than $5 last I got some (a few months ago) and you get anywhere from a cup to a pint to sample on your wall. I also used FAR less Benjamin Moore paint than other companies. We had Valspar and another company and it took three coats to cover over lighter gray. The Benjamin Moore took only 1-2 coats and that was over blood red.

I'd like to try out MMA . Rieshy, why would you recommend it? Do you think a fairly out of shape old mother could get into it? Do they teach weapons? I have a new katana and wanted to learn some sword work for the exercise and hobby. Krav Maga last Thursday. Not as much of a workout as the first time because it was a new group or new teacher. We're going tonight if cramps don't stop me. Lots of walking this weekend. FINALLY my fitbit picked up my 10,000 last night. But I had my daughter watch the app while I walked and it didn't pick up for a full ten minutes of me walking and never caught up and added those steps, so I feel vindicated that something is up because there's no way I'm not getting the full goal. It took 40 minutes of pacing to get the last 150 steps according to my fitbit!

I really like some of the almost color changing colors by Benjamin Moore. Revere Pewter, Moonshine, and Wales Grey all changed depending on the lighting, time of day, and the things in the room. It was very adaptive, neutral, but everyone who looked at our house for sale was overwhelmingly in love with them.

Well, dh teaches, so if he doesn't teach summer (optional), then he has a LOT of time off.

Does anyone have a favorite source for anatomical models? Preferably *very inexpensive* ones? My daughter's dissection class was cancelled, and we are in the process of moving, so I'm not finding many models right now locally. I will order real specimens much later when we arrive, but I'd like some models for her to practice with now to get a "feel" the same way I did when I took University A&P. Preferably models that open or are assembled to show the insides and other views? TIA!

:iagree: My Mom just bought a 37' RV and getting a wheelchair in/out even would be very very difficult. And lot rent can be anywhere from free (Boondocking-usually retirees, military, or no hookups in a Walmart parking lot) to $30+. $30+ seems more standard from what she's seen and I've researched. That's per night. It would be more reasonable to buy or just buy a trailer for that much money.

I have noticed that when I'm holding a kid's hand that it doesn't pick up on it, and I do that *a lot*, and I'm usually carrying at least one water bottle and a coffee. :lol: For the museum, we actually go through several times and through an artificial cave at least 3-8 times, so I'd figure that alone would boost me...

:grouphug: I wish him a speedy recovery!

I didn't ever get teen acne. Only adult. :glare: Krav Maga tonight. It was ok. Not quite as basic, a lot of us in the class actually seemed confused by new things (new teacher). But I feel like I got less of a workout than last time. I got almost my whole 10,000 steps in. I walk for hours a day straight besides normal around the house stuff, so I'm not sure how I don't get in the 10,000 even on zoo and museum days?

I would take into consideration first how CPS or any local regulations would affect your housing. We have a big family and are in a somewhat temporary housing situation and will be for awhile until we know what we're doing, and this is one concern of mine. Especially living in a RV, I'm not sure legally how some places might react to knowing you're in what may be a condemnable structure or temporary housing. Does that make sense? Other considerations with RV traveling-do you need any therapies that might be difficult without a permanent base? Doctors?

I just want to add that it has nothing to do with the Mom's age. You have some good advice above. I'd be gentle but firm about why this is important, or not invite her back if she doesn't understand.

Dh luckily teaches at a college that pays for spouse and dependent tuition at the college. That's what I will (and have) been using, and what my kids will use. If they want anything after that, then they will have to contribute with scholarships and federal aid for university transfer. Same for me.

It drives me nuts! I have one friend who does that. I have five kids and we're busy, so texting for this introvert is a life saver! I only ever call after a text if they specifically request I do or there's something very serious (hospital, etc.) and I have time to call. I honestly just don't answer my calls a lot because I know I won't be able to hear the phone call. I've had several ear surgeries, so that on top of distractions makes talking on the phone VERY challenging.

It was a total flop here, too.