It looks as if we will be looking for a new home soon. We have been renting, and are in a position to buy. My dh has no credit score, since he doesn't use credit. With that in mind, what type of documentation will we need? I am already getting a credit letter from utility companies. Is there anything else that would help? Thanks for your insight!

socks match pants or darker if the shoe is darker. For example, khaki pants and dark brown shoes = khaki to brown socks. Khaki pants and black shoes = black socks, although I don't recommend this combination.

depends on if I am reciting a phone number, or helping with a math problem. Ex - 55(oh)-7842 versus 25 x (zero) = (zero) I am a plethora of variables!

I was happy with Amazon and Apple, but got the best service from Disneyshopping.com. We had ordered a personalized blanket for our daughter with Tinkerbell embroidered on it. When the blanket came, the name was there, but no Tinkerbell. I emailed the company, and asked how to return it for the correct item. A representative called me to let me know that they were shipping a corrected blanket and for me to keep the first one I received at no charge.

My dh can, and does on a regular basis. My b-i-l, on the other hand, has said for years that he will not 'babysit' his children. His wife wanted kids, so she can stay with them. Makes me crazy! But it makes me appreciate me dh even more!

I don't accept every invitation - and I have accepted some and then later deleted them. The original person isn't notified of this, so I feel like it spares their feelings.

I am reading Babylon Rising by Tim Lahaye. Not sure what direction I am taking after that - I would like to read some classics I missed out on.

I found a Longaberger basket that the lady sold for $1! I tried to talk her out of lowering the price from $2, but she insisted! Oh well...what are you gonna do?

My youngest son had a gift card to use at Target. He had already gotten a game he wanted with the money he had. On the way out of the store, he noticed the hoodies in the boy's department. He tried a couple on, asking dh and I which we thought would look better on him. I then walked off for a minute, and when I got back, he was trying on bathrobes. He ended up buying himself a hoodie and robe. I am not sure why, but that was so cute to me. I was fully expecting him to come home with toys, or a new skateboard. But a hoodie and robe? He came downstairs a few minutes ago after taking his shower. He wanted me to see how he looked in his new robe - he is so cute!!

I want in! Now to go back and write down all your wonderful ideas....

My daughter needs a desk for her room, and I can't seem to find one that isn't hundreds of dollars! So, I think I would like to try building one. Has anyone here done this? We found a couple of bookcases for the sides, maybe. How do I top it? I would love to hear your ideas, and see pictures if you have them! TIA

Sorry - I didn't read the post first. I voted 'actual', but would have voted 'symbolic'. I don't believe Christ was born on Dec. 25th, but do celebrate His birth on that day.

I do everything online, or on my home computer. I have never...I am a little ashamed to admit this...balanced my checkbook. Never learned how to as a teen, never took the time to as an adult. Thank goodness for online banking. However, my kids will know how to do this before they leave home. They will receive much more financial training than I ever did. I was as dumb as a stump when I left home, and made tremendous mistakes. I don't want to them to end up like I did.

I have a basket they all go in, year after year. It is fun to pull them out once in a while and see how much the cousins, nieces and nephews, or friends kids have grown. I probably should put them in a scrapbook...maybe next year...

Honestly? We have a mess that we are cleaning up right now. We have no cards - they have all been cut up. But we are trying to pay those balances and become debt free. The one lesson I have learned is this - I cannot have a credit card. I cannot handle the temptation of "easy money". I never seem to need the money as badly when there is no available credit as I do when there is a balance left to use. I am trying to instill the 'no credit' values into my children. I am doing what I can to change my habits.

With both of my boys, it is their eyes. My older son has incredible lashes - actually all my kids do, thanks to their dear old dad - but my oldest son's are just gorgeous with his eyes. My younger son just got contacts this year, after wearing glasses since he was six months old. So I am really enjoying really seeing his face after such a long time. As for my daughter, it is definitely her smile. It is beautiful, just like her dad's. Can you tell how cute I think my dh is? My kids remind me so much of him.

We have the same issues here, one both sides of the family. My younger sister, whose life is a mess, is 'petted' by my parents. And my dh's middle brother is the 'golden child'. It seems that this year it has been more apparent than in the past. For example, my mom called to tell me to replace a gift I had bought for my niece that my sister had lost after I gave it to her! HUH? Why do I have to fix this problem? I bought the gift, wrapped it, and gave it to sis. All she had to do was take it home and put it under the tree. I am not sure why it is my responsibility to replace it! Then, my dh's parents decided to go to the middle son's house for Christmas to see his kids open their gifts. They have never come here to see ours, although we have changed our plans several years in order to get to their home. We and the oldest brother's family were planning to go the the inlaws to be them for christmas. We were planning on taking all the gifts so the kids could open their gifts there. Families!! I have made the decision this year to try to never favor one child if I can help it. I have seen too many people hurt by what seems liike unfeeling or uncaring parents.I have also told my kids to let me know if they are feeling left out. I DO NOT want to repeat this scenario in my own family.

My oldest got him a shirt that says "I'm bringing Grumpy back" for our trip to Disneyworld next year. My middler got him "A Christmas Story" movie. My youngest got him a Home Depot gift card. I got him nothing, 'cause he doesn't like to get gifts. Honestly, he would rather save the money.

My poor youngest son's name is spelled 'Conner' more often than I like, especially by family members. We chose to spell it 'Connor', but for some reason, that seems to throw everyone off. He had to correct his preschool teacher for a month or two, and she was still spelling it wrong (off and on) at the end of the year!

Honestly, the word 'green' has become an environmental tag-word for me. Not that I am where I would like to be environmentally, but it is in the back of my mind.

I am so sorry this happened to you! As someone who has been there, done that as far as receiving aid is concerned, I know that it is not an easy decision to make. While my dh was in seminary, we had our children on Medicaid in order to make doctor and dentist visits. I always said to myself, " I have been working since I was 15 years old, as has my dh. In all those years, we have paid into the system. I feel absolutely no guilt in utilizing it when needed!" Hope your day only continues to improve! :grouphug:

There are outside my mouth, on my lips. This one is in the corner of my upper lip, where I have never had one before. The last one, and every previous one before that, was on my lower lip on the left side. Is that weird, or common?

Most of you probably don't remember, but I posted a couple of weeks ago about a very painful coldsore that I had. And you all gave me excellent advice, I might add! :D Last Tuesday, I came down with a killer cold, and was just starting to recover. Then yesterday I realized that I am getting ANOTHER COLDSORE! It is in a different place, thank goodness, and I have started with Abreva already. But still, will this never end? I have never had two this close together before. In fact, I don't think I have ever had two in the same season before. I think my poor dh is afraid to lay in the same bed as me, much less kiss me! So tell me, is this common? Same virus, or can I expect another round of sickness? Oh Bother! And of course our Christmas Musical is this week at church - and you all know how painful talking and singing with these things are! :001_huh:

I said "other" because that feeling comes and goes for me. For example, when I was 21, I kept a friends three kids so that she could go give birth to her fourth child. That child is now a senior in high-school and will go away to college soon. That makes me feel like a grown up. But then, when I realize how much I enjoy watching 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', I realize just how not grown up I am! :D

I have an extra choir rehearsal tonight, and we will be served dinner there. So, if it is like other years, we will have chicken tenders, frenchfries, and fruit salad. Not exactly healthy, but I don't have to cook it in this, the busiest week of my year! I am our church's music ministry assistant, and getting ready for our yearly musical keeps me hopping!