My ds is a freshman but hasn't had much hard science (and is behind in math) so I'm looking for a textbook or program (online is fine) that is engaging and visual that will be a sort of bridge to the lab science we will attempt for the rest of high school. lol Thanks!

I can't read the article since I don't pay for news, but does it say anything about the people using the money for something that would expand their ability to make more of their own money, resources, etc.? How was it disbursed? And did they use it up and then that was it until the next time there was an influx of charity or something else? Wish I could read it!

Our kids haven't done NaNoWriMo for quite a few years now, but I think our youngest (13yo) would like to try it! Does the site still offer forums if you create an account? The forums were really helpful for our kids who did it! (Youngest dd20 is in Honors English at the cc and nailing it--IMO, because of NaNoWriMo more than anything I assigned her! 😅)

OK, I'm popping back in to say that this thread inspired me so much that I started looking at venues again and found...a barn at a **Christmas tree farm**!! This may be the one! LOL

I'm so grateful for this thread! My dd is probably getting engaged within the next few months and I know she wants to get married next fall. We are going to be sitting down to discuss *priorities*. For example, I had NO idea that my dd doesn't even care about having real flowers. WHAT?! That was one of my MUSTS when I got married! LOL Etsy has some amazing options (have you see these amazing WOOD flowers?? https://www.etsy.com/search?q=sola flower bouquet ) and we will probably do our own centerpieces with mismatched china teacups and greenery, etc. So really, communication is going to be key for finding out which things we can pare down a bit. Another example is venue. We have a lot of local parks that rent out pavilions and lodges. One goes for $300 and can fit about 120 people! There are a lot of creative options for venues and since, for us at least, we have options between $300 and $4000, we have wiggle room in that part of the budget. Photography can easily have a huge range in price. We have many really good amateur photographers among our friends who tend to take photos wherever they go, so we're just going to ask that if they were bringing their camera anyway, to be intentional about getting photos of the venue, decor, friends, etc. and sharing them with us. My dd has done the same for others and it works out well! My dh's and my favorite wedding picture is from a family friend! (And the camera of the friend we *hired* for the ceremony BROKE so we have very few good wedding pictures...and also why we would never have a friend do the ceremony. LOL!!) We are doing a small, 2-tier cake for the couple and sheet cake from Costco brought out already sliced for everyone else. (Plus a donut wall. lol) My dd loves Christmas but wants a fall wedding so we're going to go a little crazy with white string lights and draped tulle at the venue. Then she will have lights to decorate their first tree AND their house. 🙂

I have a question, if you all don't mind? My 20yo dd is dating a great young man who has RA. What are some things she should know, questions she should ask in order to be sensitive to his condition, things that might help him, etc.? It has only been 3-4 months but they are fairly serious and I have a feeling that he might be "the one." If you'd prefer I ask in a separate thread, I can do that, as well. Thank you!

Have you tried any of the seasonal allergy support supplements? They DO work. D-Hist is the best, but there is a generic with the exact same ingredients (De-Hist on Amazon, lol) and it costs less and probably works just as well. https://www.amazon.com/Ortho-Molecular-Product-Natural-D-Hist/dp/B0006ON6D8/ *Edited to add that my dd takes this and if she needs an actual allergy medication she will take it as well on a really bad day without any issues.

Praying for it to be benign and that life will start to get so much better after surgery.

I've used emu oil products for burns on my arms and it seemed to help quite a bit. (I have a tendency to be a klutz in the kitchen! lol) Something like this (I like a cream, not oil but there are lots of options): https://www.amazon.com/Emu-Oil-Moisturizer-Strengthened-InstaNatural/dp/B00JX979CQ

These underwear: https://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Womens-Seamless-Hipster-Panties/dp/B07H46QTHC And also, use BodyGlide stick in the, um, creases? Or ChafeX if you prefer a not too greasy cream instead of the stick. (I do.) Nike also makes some Dri-Fit undies that look like shorts! I would love to try those.

I don't follow her blog but just heard the news. Terribly sad! Here are the blog updates from her dh for the last 2 weeks. She was in a medically induced coma due to complications from treatment for an infection. https://rachelheldevans.com/blog/health-updates

Is there any other substance that is a prescribed DRUG that is also legally used recreationally? Alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes don't really count...they are not prescribed, right? Prescription drugs used recreationally but *illegally* don't count, either. So is there any other prescription medication that people are permitted to use in any way they like? I'm just so curious about how pot has been classified as a drug to get it legalized (for proper purposes, I think) and yet it is unique, in a way, because there aren't really any equivalent substances like it that have been found (at least by some) to be strong enough for prescribing but then perfectly ok to use on one's own without any direction whatsoever, etc. Maybe natural, homeopathic stuff but those aren't prescribed. This is really just a curiosity thing; not making a judgment. I think it's a fascinating situation.

I have a love-hate relationship with dressers. Right now I'm using them because we inherited the furniture from dh's grandparents AND we have pitifully small closets. But when we move, if we get good closets, I might sell them. For some reason I seem to forget that I have stuff in them. LOL

I just saw something on FB that showed how to do a make-your-own terrarium craft for friends to do together that I thought was unique! You could do little fairy/gnome/hobbit type accessories, or cute little animals, etc.

My oldest ds is on it and waited for his dosage to get settled before trying alcohol again. He is a very light, occasional drinker and has had no issues, but we were super cautious and I didn't allow him to drink at all unless dh or I were driving him home as we tested it out. We're not regular drinkers so at first I wondered why the kid had to tempt the whole thing at all--just be a non-drinker, maybe? lol--but ds was almost 23 so what are you gonna do. lol He seems to be settled into what works for him and I'm relieved!

It's interesting to see who is consistent with their stance on these situations. (His twitter account is full of responses from people now saying that "believe women" was maybe not the right tack and "listen to women" is SO much better. To which half of America says, "No duh. Thanks for catching on.") I agree with him about the importance of evidence, but I'm being consistent because I had the same point of view with Kavanaugh and any other situation where I wait for information to come out. But the most disturbing (that may be too strong of a word) aspect of his response is the clear implication that when it comes down to he said-she said without real evidence that people will side with the person who is most credible...with the clear implication that somehow he is more credible. At least it felt that way to me. And I also find him to be arrogant so I'm not sure what he's basing his idea of being credible on. If it's because he's a scientist who believes in reason and naturalism/materialism, well I guess his weird little spiritual handshake throws that out the window a bit. Unless, of course, it was actually just a weird little come on.

Requirements: Light but not TOO light and fluffy. (So no sad endings, please, but not a cheesy romance, either. lol) If it's just set in winter with great atmosphere that would qualify. Thank you!

Help. I signed up to make a boatload of mac and cheese and realize I don't have an awesome recipe. LOL My kids don't like baked mac and cheese (what?!!) so I don't have a tried and true recipe! If you have one, I'd love it, especially if it can be scaled UP. ?

What acts are "proscribed"? For example, is grabbing someone's butt considered sexual assault? Taylor Swift would probably say so. And yet, I would be a sexual assault victim about 10x over because it happened to me in large crowds nearly every time I went to a Browns games with my dad when I was a teen. As much as I would have liked to identify the person and give him (I assume him) a huge piece of my mind and maybe a big slap, it was impossible. It was disgusting and annoying but I've never felt like an assault victim. At the same time, who am I to say that other women shouldn't feel victimized for the rest of their lives because of it? (I have my opinion on it, of course.) Adding that Taylor Swift was apparently wearing a thong or no panties because the guy put his hand up her skirt and it was on bare skin. I was grabbed through my jeans. But I was also a child. All of these little things come into the picture and create context. I just think that we're having a hard time delineating. Matt Damon was excoriated for saying that there is a spectrum of this stuff and not to conflate two very different things. People went insane over that so how are we to decide??

Freedom. That's not a jab at my husband, btw, or implying that he's restrictive or something! I think that for a long time I'd be sad, it would be weird without him, and then...I'd get used to being alone and doing whatever I want to do if that makes sense. But this is more of an "I know myself" thing than a decision NOT to remarry. I would never be totally closed off to the possibility but I just don't see it for myself personally when I think about it now.

I am anxiously awaiting Dracul, a prequel to Dracula written by Dacre Stoker (great- grandnephew of Bram Stoker!!) and J.D. Barker. It is based on Bram's notes! https://www.amazon.com/Dracul-Dacre-Stoker/dp/0735219346 Now reading The Wild Dead, next in the Bannerless series by Carrie Vaughn which I am enjoying. Post-apocalyptic mystery.

They have a streaming service now and I was thinking of trying it to see which ones are worth getting.

I would feel confident buying either so the deal-breaker for me would be on minor issues/preferences. Dh traded in his 2003 Elantra--still running--with just under 300k miles and ds had an Elantra as well that almost hit 200k. He is considering another Hyundai. I like Honda so would buy either and just do my research on particular year/models with safety, etc.

Aw, man! It's my 23yo dd who wants one to do with me! LOL I will look at the Mail Order ones, but I think the MPC mysteries are definitely more for adults. (Some are horror and for 16+)

I'm looking for reviews and recommendations for specific boxes if possible! https://mysteriouspackage.com/