Thanks! I'm going to set one up today...just as soon as I can figure out a name...

I'm in! And I think this just might be the push I need to start a blog. It sounds like Blogger is a good popular one...is that one easy enough for a beginner?

My 7 yo has liked many on this thread as well. She's reading the Little House series now along with many of the American Girl books. And she LOVED Series of Unfortunate Events and the EB White books. I'll see if she has any suggestions to add in the morning.

I buy our K-cups through Amazon, but I have free shipping with Prime. Not sure if shipping costs would make them more than other local places. Be aware of the # of cups per box. The ones I buy are usually 24 count boxes. My SIL buys at Target and our local grocery store and pays the same amount for an 18 count box.

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Me! I packed up two boxes of VHS tapes and "baby" DVDs today and am currently working on creating a new filing system. This weekend Ill be vacuuming drapes and reaching into those dusty forgotten areas of my home.

I probably would have been tempted to buy school items if I hadn't already ordered a bunch a curriculum in early December for our second semester. My MIL gave me an Amazon GC and I used it to order a set of three kings to add to my Nativity Set. She'll be happy when I tell her.

Here's what I've done so far (Disclaimer: I wrote a detailed post yesterday but it is now among the missing) :glare: First I read GTD and Misti's blog. Then I started a braindump, but couldn't focus on it while surrounded by piles of thing that needed to be done, so I decided to skip right to the processing inboxes. I had (still have) many "inbox piles" in various rooms. But as I started that process I realized that what I REALLY needed to begin with was organizing/re-labeling all of the files in my file cabinet so that I would have a place to put everything I was sorting. I don't think I usually exhibit such ADD behaviors (my friends think I'm quite organized). However, I kept having a feeling of starting in the middle. Organizing is going much better now that I have the early stages of a strong working file system in place. I hit a small stumbling block yesterday when it came to getting rid of a lot of old paperwork. I had started tearing it up, but felt uncomfortable with the amount of personal information, so I saved a big pile for tonight. My DH is going to start a fire so I can burn it all. So tonight I will pour myself a nice glass of pinot noir and have a burning party. :party: Thank you to everyone who has posted their ideas, plans, and suggestions. This thread has been so useful!

Same here... I had never written a reply as long as the one I did this afternoon....gone. And on my ipad....

If you have a BJs near you, they had (at least the one near me) a bunch of different mini AG doll sets with books and also other AG craft/activity sets. I know how you're feeling about not wanting to have a disappointed child. We exchanged gifts with my BIL's children last night. My DD7 was disappointed that she didn't have a "toy" to play with like her younger cousins, even though her gifts were what she had told BIL and SIL that she wanted. So I am off to get one more little "toy" this morning, since I was already worried about this child (my youngest) having gifts that were on the older side.

We paid cash and had a lot of fun!

This is how it is in our home too.

I'd love this! My neighborhood book club is a fun night out, but we typically spend all of 5-10 minutes on the book. Is anyone else in a "book club" like mine?

Not alone...ive done that more than once. Try looking in high places, tops of shelves, closets, fridge.

Ill be back to join you with a glass of pinot noir after swim lessons. DH has a dinner out in Boston to celebrate and exchange gifts with his co-workers.

I just went over to Amazon to order Science Matters and it's a good thing they show a picture of the cover...yup, already own it. I remeber starting it (and liking it) this summer, but I must have put it down to read something else and forgot about it. That's another reason why I love reading this board. thank you!

Maybe some chips with a dip for those who may be too picky for your other delicious apps. And I agree with the suggestion of a fruit tray.

Yes Prime is dangerous...but I love it! I "finished" buying for the kids two weeks ago, but tomorrow will be the night that I drag everything out and make sure thatbthe amounts are fairly even. then I will likely need to get a few more things to even it off. i buy here and there starting in September, so I really need to look at it all spread out. if the girls have more than my son, they each have birthdays in January and February, so I may hold some back.

Hmmm, maybe my DH adopted something for me as well...that would be so kind, I would love it.

The strangest thing under my tree right now is an empty box that I wrapped myself. My DH gave me a box from amazon that I had opened the day before, took out two gifts and wrapped them. Next night, he handed me back the box (taped shut) and asked me to wrap it it label it to me from him. I said "It feels empty." He said, "It is." I guess I have to wait until Christmas to find out what that's all about.

Thanks QValencia! I like warm weather places and hanging out by my pool. In the winter I like to stay by the fire, so I was thinking of a scented candle, but though it was too lame of an idea. Edited to add: i also like to eat out at nice restaurants and browse book stores. Any idea for a book that could be liked by a wide range of people?

I voted yes, but just remembered that I still need to buy 2 yankee swap gifts for a party at my cousin's on Christmas Eve. They need to be in the $10 range and the theme is "Favorite places" and we need to write a clue on the outside of the wrapped gift. Any suggestions??? (for adults)

My youngest LOVED RighStart when she was five.

Great ideas in this thread! My DD is in grade 6 and we are in Modern History in the four year rotation. This year I bought History Odyssey level 2, but it was very involved and better suited for grade 8 or high school. Their level 2 for Ancients and Medevil would have been fine, but Modern was too much...so we're holding onto it. In the meantime, all three of my DC are working through HO Modern level one, with my sixth grader doing more of the extra suggested readings and more writing.

Having guests is almost always my motivator....so I tend to invite people over often.