[If your kids have a mini trampoline (the little round kind), do they use it much? Do they like it?]

Check out Goodwill, I got one for only ten bucks.

 

[Any reasons NOT to use a nasal steroid (Nasacort, Flonase) for dd?]

I try not to use conventional meds if I can help it. All conventional meds come with side effects of some kind. We use essential oils in my house with great success. Have you tried modifying his diet to see if it's a food allergy? Dairy often is the culprit.

[DD has a fever..]

Bone broth(preferably organic) is good when sick. Fruit juice in moderation can help keep the blood glucose levels up during a fever. Apple Cider Vinegar (I prefer Braggs with the Mother) 2-3 times a day can help boost the immune system. I take mine with honey in a small glass of water, however apple juice helps cut the vinegar taste. Vitamins C and D, but I think you said you were already doing that.

 

In my house, we use Young Living essential oils. Everyone gets a drop of Thieves each morning and evening to boost the immune system, and more when sick. When we have company or someone in the house is sick we diffuse Thieves all day long. It kills the germs and viruses in the air and helps keep it from spreading. When someone is coming down with something, or really sick, I use the heavy hitters Oregano and Thyme. We end up smelling like a pizza parlor, but I've been able to knock out colds in 24 hours.

[Cat people: Please explain this cat's thinking!]

My 150 lb dog is absolutely scared to death of our 14 yr old cat. On the other hand, this same dog LOVES our 3yr old cat despite the fact that the cat hates being "loved on" and uses all 5 pointy ends to get away. :rolleyes:

[How about a monthly bookclub? We could find a time to log on and discuss a book of our choosing.]

I'm interested. It would be great if it was here though.

[Anyone have one of those compact DSLRs?]

I have a Canon G12, but I think they are up to G15 now. I love it, and carry it everywhere. It's bigger and heavier than a compact pocket camera, but it has all the same manual options as my Rebel. If anything happened to it I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. It does have flash issues since it's a small camera, but I'm thinking about getting the Lightscoop Jr. since I love the full sized one on my DSLR.

[Back from the ER with ds14...aka 14 yr old boys are idiots pt 2]

It's not just boys. My 22yr old DD sliced her finger to the bone cutting an avocado. Hubby ended up having to take her to the UTC.

[Party Games for Tweens/Teens]

Are you looking for board/card games or activities? I think that age would LOVE minute-to-win-it style games. It would take a little bit of set up on your part, but the supplies are usually found around the house. You could make up a bunch of index carded with each game and let them be responsible for it. Google it and you'll find a ton of games to choose from.

[how do you clean ceiling fan blades?]

I saw somewhere (probably pinterest) that when dusting the fan blades to put a pillowcase over the blade then pull off slowly. That way most of the dust and gunk falls into the pillowcase instead of the floor.

[Is there a way you can find out who gave you stars?]

 

go look now....:-P

 

Noooooo! I can't remain in obscure anonymity if you give me stars!

 

**blinking in the glare of the spotlight**

[Is there a way you can find out who gave you stars?]

I am a proud, card carrying member of the no star club.

 

*singing loud for all to hear*

 

"Oh there ain't no stars on me

There ain't no stars on me

There may be stars on some of you mugs

But there ain't no stars on me!" :001_tt2:

[Fill in the blank.... "I was shocked to find out my dc never knew..."]

In the part of NTX where we live the liquor stores are called "beverage centers" or stores.

 

It was only a few months ago that discovered my 22yr old has been misunderstanding a phrase I've used all her life. I would say we needed to clean something "to a fair thee well," and she thought I was saying "fairly well." So she never understood why she kept getting in trouble for hardly doing any cleaning since she thought I was telling her she didn't need to do very much. *lol*

[What's up with the mustache craze?]

I thought it was fun and cute until I found out about mustache rides. I'll never be the same ever again. :blink: :ack2: :leaving:

[Big Bang Theory]

Project Free TV

 

:iagree:

LOVE them for watching all kinds of shows.

[S/O names--Peter]

I was married 15 years and never realized my married name had that meaning until my Mother-in-Law told me. :blink: Too late now. :tongue_smilie:

[How Many Books Does Your 3rd Grader Read?]

Sadly, not very many. He doesn't have any reading challenges that we can tell, but he's a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to reading. He's reading a lot of Lego club magazines, and reads bits and prices of other magazines and picture books. He loves to be read TO, so at least he's developing a love of books.

[What's your favorite fast food place?]

Culver's, Chipotle, or Panera's Depending on what I'm in the mood for.

 

Add Chick Fil A to this list and you've got me covered! :lol:

 

ETA: oh, I forgot White Castles! My grandmother took me as a child, and I try to go at least once when we're in KY. The food is terrible, but it brings back warm memories.

[Are you a veteran?]

I voted Navy even though it was my DH who served. TBH, I forget he's a Vet because he served before we were married.

[Child-sized lab coats?]

I was able to find some adult small lab coats at the local thrift and goodwill stores. Men's white button down shirts are also good in a pinch.

[Lego Families, I need ideas...]

My DS is 8 yrs old and has more Legos than any single child should ever own. :tongue_smilie: While he likes sets, they never stay together and are usually broken apart by the second or third day. Since he likes building so much, I was thinking about getting him the kind of sets that are less "themed," and more engineering based. I can't find that type in the Lego catalog though. Anyone know the name of the sets or website where I can find them?

 

Note: Kinex are out. He doesn't like them at all. He likes his snap-on set, and really enjoys inventing new contraptions. I'd love to hear any other ideas you might have for a boy who wants to be an inventor when he grows up. :001_smile: Thanks!

[How much do you care about Common Core and other national standards for education]

I think it's more important to teach my child to read, do math and THINK. (Of course, we cover other subjects too. :tongue_smilie:) It doesn't matter what standards they use if the student fails at those basic skills. Although I'm not sure how many kids graduate gov. school these days with critical thinking skills. :glare:

[Porcilain tile that looks like wood?]

Ooooooh, I love that look! We have old, nasty carpet that really needs to be replaced, but I can't decide between tile or laminate flooring. This would be the best of both worlds! I wouldn't have to worry about the dog destroying the laminate, but could soften it up with area rugs. The walnut color looks yummy.

[Anyone ever heard of a "Trash the Wedding Dress Party"]

I'm planning on having a trash the dress photo session for our 20th wedding anniversary in a few years. It will be Hubby and I in a beautiful outdoor location. Heck, we might even include the kids! (This is assuming I lose enough weight to fit back ino it. :tongue_smilie:)

 

My favorite memory of our wedding day was the impromptu carriage ride we took through downtown after we left our reception. It was so much fun wearing our über fancy clothes out on the town late at night. It was magical. :001_wub:

 

My Dd is never going to wear my dress, and my kids are too old to make christening gowns. If the dress is still in decent shape after the photo shoot I might consider having it turned into a pillow, or incorporated into a quilt. Either way, it's been sitting in a box in my closet all these years, taking up space. I'd much rather make fun new memories with it (or out of it) than have it sit in a box until I die.

[tea tree oil smell]

All essential oils say not to use topically. That is a rule from the FDA. To be labeled as "safe for internal use" then they must be "food grade" oils, which requires they be redistilled. Most essential oils intended to be use for aromatherapy are not redistilled. I would consider an EO labeled as "safe for internal use" as an inferior essential oil.

 

I respectfully disagree. The Young Living essential oils are thereputic grade, and can all be used topically, and say so on their labels. They are also safe for inhalation, and many of them are considered and labeled GRAS (generally regarded as safe) for internal use as defined by the FDA. They are pure essential oils and are never adulterated with synthetics. There are currently over 50 hospitals that use YL oils exclusively such as The Cleveland Clinic in OH, and The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY.

 

It appears, however, that you and I feel very strongly about our positions and may have to agree to disagree on this particular issue.

[tea tree oil smell]

@Jen: with few exceptions, it is always recommended that essential oils not be used straight on the skin. They should always be in a carrier oil, or "stretched" by mixing in another product (like creams).

 

What I meant is that some bottles of oil will say explicitly on them not to use topically, which can mean they are blended with a synthetic. That's different than saying to use a carrier.