I've used prescription Zenni sunglasses for years. I agree that even if the rx is old, I'd still order them for the trip, and then if you update them (if rx changes much), those could be the "backup" pair. I get terrible headaches from squinting, so I own several pairs of rx sunglasses - they're usually about $15-20 from Zenni.

Ours just doubled here, too. 😞 We already line dry, use LED, be careful, etc. And we are in one of the very highest electric rate areas of the US already.

(This list represents several kids over several years.) Chorus Karate Historical Costume Construction Music Composition Personal Finance Intro to Project Management / Business Java (extra) foreign language Auto Upkeep Agricultural Entrepreneurship CAD / Computer Assisted Drafting + Revit Architectural Sketching & Modeling Intro to Legal Studies

My state is $645 / credit hour for in-state. It's $1435 / credit hour (yes, per credit hour, NOT per course) for out-of-state. Changes the "dual enrollment" conversation considerably in the HCOL areas. 😞

I'd visit a doctor, too, but I'd also over-hydrate for a couple of days to see if that makes any difference.

It would count as a gift in this house. 😉 We live "far away" from family who DO come to visit, and we have a cupboard full of "their" things that they leave here just for when they visit. I also have special food items / coffee related "specific" things for when my in-laws come over . . . they feel quite special to be remembered and to have *exactly their preferred things (they are NOT fussy or demanding and would NEVER comment or complain if we didn't have *exactly the right things). We are lower-expense, light-hearted (read: downright silly), easy-come / easy-go gift givers, though. ETA: So, in a coffee situation like you describe, the gift would be given, no strings attached, and if he leaves it here, it's here, and if he takes it, he takes it.

(I know it's not at all funny for the poor dogs, but for about ~8-9 years, I had my DS convinced that the way to help our former dog with this was to take the dog to the basement and run laundry. It was AWESOME, and truly did help the dog - ALL our laundry was ALWAYS clean all summer. I'd wake up at 2am, and little DS would be down there with the washer and dryer both running, Kid and Dog curled up happy on the couch together with a good book.)

Zanfel. $$$ but it works. And Tecnu, best if you can use soap ASAP and then the spray.

I have a house full of teenagers and $$$ grocery bills. We like the American Express 6% back on grocery card, LOL. (Someday I'll switch to a travel one.)

*why we study history *why others seek to obscure it

This is probably an overly simplistic suggestion as I am not well read on all these systems mentioned, but one of the BEST things we did during growing-up years for kids was daily 90 min quiet time. We just smooth-transitioned out of naps, and th kids (and mama!) were allowed to do anything at all that was quiet. (We have a full and busy home; this might not be so wonderful for an only child.) My kids learned to LOVE reading, to self-entertain with no screen, to draw, to play Lego, to hand-craft, to write, to listen to quiet music and audio books. As adults, they look back on those years with fondness and sometimes wish they still had Quiet Time every day after lunch. ❤️

We have found our groove Singapore Math to Dolciani. On my 4th pass through, and happy to answer any questions of that's helpful.

^This post reminds me of the Biblical observation that in any fruitful endeavor, there are sowers, and waterers, and harvesters. How lovely it would be to see all 3 phases of a miracle! But that is not usually the human condition, eh? Can you plan for changing plans? Plan A, Plan B, Plan C? (Don't do it if it makes you crazy, but if it gives you peace and confidence, it can be a load-lightener.)

There are quite a few of us here. 😉

June 7 Update from Zone 5B: Relieved to see that my hard pruning did not kill the cranberries. First round of green beans are up; all other rows are planted. Have harvested a boat load of rhubarb and asparagus; tried a new no-pectin rhubarb jam with lower sugar, and we all like it! Canned up a couple of batches and will do more as the rhubarb continues to come through June. Everything is planted & mulched. Blueberries & cherries both look fantastic. Ground cherries all over, and we're leaving them in more places than we usually do. Experimental melons & squashes are climbing up - I'm quite interested in those. Trying "bushel basket" gourds this year, too. Researching some medicinal herbs now (does anyone do anything with broad-leaved dock?). Flowers: Some of the experiments are doing well, and it's looking to be a banner year for zinnias & peonies & roses. Salpiglossis is new to me, but they're thriving, so that is fun. I have a dahlia in a bucket this year. We'll see?

I've done this a couple of times with students in somewhat similar positions, and we were able to gain access to the book AND the syllabus for the class, which was extremely helpful. So to build confidence and "grease the wheels," we went ahead and worked on the first 2-3 weeks of material straight out, and then I hit what seemed like the biggest concepts in the syllabus for the first 2 months of the teacher's regular syllabus. It worked out okay, and that's what I'd do again in similar circumstances.

And then there's Aldi . . . bwahahaha! $.25 can be a game changer.

Things that have helped here in somewhat similar situation (YMMV): Learn what a plantain "weed" looks like and how to use it on bites / stings. Permethrin treatment on clothing that does NOT touch your skin (shoes, light jacket, exterior of hat). Long pants / long sleeves after 5pm. Black flies significantly better after Father's Day / summer heat. We do have and use the "bug bite plunger thingie". Also baking soda paste (both commercial and homemade). Yes to bug spray. Windy days are better.

https://www.econ4life.com/ Our teens found this economics course highly relatable, sparking a lot of really interesting discussions (especially when posed to a very diverse audience), and not "bookishly" difficult (aka no busy work, streamlined). It does assume Christian values, so that may or may not be a factor for you (nothing weird or fringe-ish, though). John Stossel stuff.

Crock pot chicken chili! My crew loves this recipe.

I would jump at the chance.

We use mason jars, too, for a lot of leftovers. We use (saved & cleaned) peanut butter lids on the standard mouth jars. Also, parmesan cheese container lids fit as well.

I would, too. We bought our house knowing it might need a system, and we tested and then installed one. It was super easy & no hassle. Around $2K, many years ago.

Not hoarding. It's "keeping a well-stocked bookshelf (or 5)." 😉

This was true in our area before covid, but not since.