I'm considering buying a steamer like the Bissell PowerFresh or O'Cedar Microfiber Steam mop. I'm open to any brand, it's just these have the best reviews on Amazon. Anyone have experience with steam mops.?? I have almost all wood floors plus some slate. I will be putting in ceramic tile in our sun room within the next 6 months.

Before I went LowCarb I was baking bread for the family several times a week. For the last 12yrs I've been baking bread for our communion about once per month. Sometimes a friend from church and I do a big batch together. She's Bulgarian and has strong opinions about measuring by weight. We've even compared the two while baking and there is a sizable difference in amounts. However, I'm used to baking with cups and tsp... I've been baking bread for 25yrs and always done it that way. Now I don't even really measure out the flour, I do it by sight.

Shanvan!! It is so great to see you. I am so sorry about your dh's dx. I know it's a relief to have an explanation for his behavior, but it still cannot be easy. I've been worried about my dh too - although his is most likely due to a TBI about 5yrs ago. His personality has changed for the worse... but it's up and down.. never consistently one way or the other. Also, I noticed that he is better when our adult children are around. In one way that's good... but in another way I'm sad that our youngest is getting a different dad than his siblings. Sigh. sorry - don't mean to hijack your thread, but what you wrote struck a chord with me. I don't really have anyone to talk to about it.

May he rest in peace.

I think it's perfectly normal to be sad about this change. I think it's very normal to mourn, that doesn't mean it's wrong to be done... I just think it's a normal reaction. Hugs.

I think it must be a denominational or regional thing? We do have donuts after services for coffee hour, but it is along with other choices like fruit/veggies and proteins. To my knowledge there's never been candy handed out in Sunday school. I've helped or attended VBS for several years and I don't think there's regularly been candy doled out either, except perhaps the last day as a celebration. When I attended a more seeker friendly type Baptist church I don't recall candy being given out either. There was never sweets or any type of food after church... we just visited with a few people and and went home. The church before that was a small church using a rented space. We never gave candy to the kidsand I'm sure the pastor's wife would have nixed it if it was ever suggested.

Thank you for the update. May he rest in peace. Hugs for you.

Same with me too. Low Carb was always my go-to way to lose weight and feel great. But, the weight doesn't come off so easily. I'm combining 5:2 diet with Low Carb. I just started it so I can't say how well it works long-term.

I'm glad you're doing well now... morning sickness is awful. Thanks for the update. So nice to have you back!

oh no...this makes me sad. I had no idea. I never go over to the college boards. She's going through a lot with her mom too... I've also noticed a void, but I'm never sure if they've just changed their names and wish to remain anonymous or whether I'm supposed to just know their new names. The loss of Creekland over a conflict is a blow.

Hugs.... I'm always a bit amazed the direction a thread will take. Sorry you're having to defend your choices.

Wye River Valley in Wales is also very beautiful. Actually, a lot of Wales has lots of natural beauty. I agree about Scotland and No. Italy as well. Haven't been to the other places.

I haven't read all the responses, but I do wonder if part of the uptick is that it is more accurately reported. Back in the day suicide wasn't talked about... if someone killed themselves you may not have known that was actually the cause because families were embarrassed and because there were religious repercussions against it. So back in the day when something was called and "accidental death" it may not have actually been an accident. I don't think that accounts for all of it... I do believe it is happening more frequently. Modern society is very stressful.

Yes, he had several risk factors.

apparent suicide... so sad. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44414747 My family loved his old show. My daughter texted me and said she was so distraught... May he rest in peace.

I bought a xlarge washer/dryer when we moved back in ''93 and had 4 kids. They moved with me in '12 because I knew that "newer" was not always better for w/d and the w/d at the new house were much smaller. The dryer did eventually die at that house, so it lasted a little over 20yrs. (dryers die quicker because of the moving parts). The washing machine was still going strong when we moved last year. I SO agree about a simple dryer that dries... I don't need a lot of bells and whistles. I never use half of the features on my w/d. Do you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore near you. You might find a perfectly good used dryer.

It's a hard transition time for moms. It's so great to watch them launch, but it's also sad to know they're leaving the nest. hugs. But, congratulations to your sons. I love the 6 week program idea.- and he gets credits... wow.

I completely get it. We found *the house* last year at Easter. But then there were more problems with it and it was over priced... and it was a little too far away from where we wanted to be. We found a 2nd best house, which also has a lot of problems. Fortunately, it was cheaper and in a better location. I still think about *the house* and wonder and feel a little sad. But then I think I would have been unhappy because of the location to things that are important to me and we would have paid too much for a house that had some serious issues. The current house is definitely a diamond in the rough, but we're slowly working to make it our own. I don't know if it will have the quirks that I loved about *the house* but this house is on the type of lot we were looking for and the location is so much better for our needs. My yard makes me happy even though it's a bit of a mess. hugs....... I know its hard to let go of a dream.

We moved last year from a newer (90s) wood constructed house to an older brick house. The previous owner put in a 2nd floor (raised the roof). He added central air when he did so. I have found that the lower part of the house has stayed quite cool even on the hottest days. The upstairs (since it's basically the roof) is quite hot. Previous owner was not a structural engineer so the A/C was poorly placed. But the lower part of the house was constructed before central A/C and having an all brick house has proven to be a plus for my A/C bill. The one issue it doesn't deal well with is the humidity. I live in a humid climate and I cannot get the RH below 65% without a dehumidifier or the A/C blowing.

Oh wow that would have been a once in a life-time experience. I'd be disappointed to, even though staying has some perks as well. I think being close to your kids as they launch into adulthood is important. From your siggy line it looks like she is your youngest too. This will be some special years ahead for all of you. But still.. Jerusalem!! hugs.

I have 2 kids looking for professional jobs and neither has been asked to do a PP interview. That is odd but I think Ravin may be on the right track. I honestly think I'd prefer a PP interview over handing in a one page resume.

What everyone said.. A few snippets of information I've gleaned over the years... We put my dd on a budget. We only knew someone who did flowers, so otherwise we had no favors to call in. It was tight and we ended up having to raise it by about 2K to completely cover it, but we did it. The thing is to go small. Really small. If I had had a say I would have invited less to dd's wedding, but groom was an only child and his dad a priest. My niece got married last weekend. It was a sweet and happy experience. She re-purposed her mom's wedding dress from the early 80s. It was completely changed and lovely, but cost less than $200 to do so. She had beer and pizza (and wine) wedding reception. They only invited 80 guests... which is hard since extended family is...extensive. They used very nice disposable plates/flatware... the napkins almost felt like cloth, but it was paper. Bride's brother-in-law's sister is a professional event photographer and she did the pictures at a greatly reduced rate. They spent most of their money on a DJ and it was worth it. It was a happy celebration. Another niece got married several years ago and did a breakfast themed reception. Apparently it' was much cheaper than dinner style... and it was pretty yummy. The only thing I didn't like was that she had donuts instead of a wedding cake. That didn't quite work. One niece loves pie instead of cake. She didn't have a wedding cake. She had several friends & family makes several varieties of pie for her wedding. I love pie so I was pretty happy. A friend got married in late Jan. and the prices for just about everything was cheaper....esp. the reception venue. Of course, snow can be an issue... but off-season may help with the price tag. My son is getting married in Aug. and bride and bride's mom are calling in all the favors they can. I plan to use their wisdom when my next 2 girls get married. Good luck with everything. What a happy time.

So did "The Middle" and they avoided being political. I agree that Rosanne should have kept her opinions to herself.. very abhorrent.

Prayers for your SIL.

Also sending you a hug and sorry you'r going through tough times