I had mine preserved and kept it for 30 years. When we did our major downsize, I decided there was no reason to continue keeping it (I only have a ds). So around our 30th wedding anniversary I put it on for a photo, and then shipped it to an organization called, “Angel Gowns.” They make bereavement gowns for babies who do not come home from the hospital. I’ll attach my side-by-side pics from my wedding day and 30th anniversary as well as a photo of one of the gowns that was made from it by the organization. They try to make the first one reflective of the gown. I did cut off and keep one of the organza little bunches with the sequin flower centers before I sent it off. So for those looking for a way to donate, you might determine if there is an Angel Gowns organization in your state.

I don’t know about areas with a high % of Puerto Ricans. However, I had friends who were in a 55+ community of houses (small - only 1,300 sq ft) who at least had their landscaping services (including mowing) included in their HOA fees. We have met TONS of locals at our nearby pub (walkable) where everyone plays trivia on Tuesday nights!

@Lanny Ds is not interested in any part-time MBA programs at this point in his career, but obviously that could change down the line. I knew plenty of plenty of folks who pursued those at my dh’s former employer. I agree - he will find the best path forward for himself!! Even if he doesn’t get an offer of admission, I am glad he was invited to interview. I think the entire application process was good for him because it allowed for a lot of reflection/introspection on what he wants to do.

Ds had his interview today. He said he felt it went well. It was about 50 minutes. I was happy to hear that he did not feel any of the questions were, “hard.” He said he had spent time prepping by thinking about what questions might be asked so he would have a relevant, “story,” for anything that came up. He felt as though he did. He has decided he will not apply to any other business schools for Round 2, so it’s this or nothing. He is not sure if he will take it or not if he receives an offer. It’s a BIG financial hit to take it. This school offers no merit scholarships, and he would lose close to two years’ worth of income. Except for whatever summer internship he secured between years 1 and 2. Which would be much less than his current salary range. Decisions come out December 9th - six weeks from today. I will report back then. Thank you for letting me post here! It’s very helpful to me. I talk to dh about it all as well, but it’s nice to have another outlet.

I have a Garmin vivoactive 4S. Not sure about the O2, but it does all the rest.

I was not taught how to clean at all. We had a maid when I was growing up. That term is probably not PC these days - idk?? She came four and a half days a week. Like, she was at our house from 9:00 - 4:00 every day but Wednesday. She left around 1:00 on Wednesdays. I had to laugh on the ironing comments because she even ironed our sheets! Pajamas, too! I have pretty much always had a housekeeper except while I was in college and first out of college until I got married at 25. That changed when my dh retired, and we did a major downsize. I couldn’t justify a housekeeper for a 935 sq ft condo! We have since upsized to 1,600 square feet condo. Even though dh has come out of retirement, I am still cleaning myself. I clean our entire condo once a week. I steam mop our floors every week. I am probably not the best deep cleaner - I mean, I have never washed walls (though I have done baseboards). I learned a lot about cleaning during the pandemic by following GoCleanCo on Instagram.

Happy news - ds received an interview invitation from his other Round 1 school today! 🙂 Should be scheduled in about a week. They usually extend admission offers to 1/3 - 1/2 of people they interview.

Where could I read more about the efficacy of Moderna over Pfizer?

By saying no booster scenario for me - not only am I a Moderna person, I am not over 65, I do not have any underlying health issues, and I don’t work at all (so not in a field that would allow me to get it). I would much prefer to be eligible for a booster, but I’m not.

I am so sorry about your sister. There is no current scenario where I will be eligible to receive a booster. I was also Moderna. It’s frustrating.

I’m really late to this fried pie party. Yes, I think of fried pies as being Southern. Yes, Arkansas is in the South. To me, Southern states are those that are included in Southern Living magazine - lol. I tend to think of the South as including all states that seceded. Arkansas can have a bit of everything. I do think Little Rock and south of it is more influenced by Southern culture. NWA is less Southern to me.

Oh, it’s addressed in his essays. It’s not as though he doesn’t have any idea of his long-term goals - he does. I just don’t really think he thinks he needs the MBA. Dh and I disagree with that, but we have some personal baggage related to my dh’s career that makes us think that ds is better off getting an MBA. In our minds, it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. We think ds will have some opportunities denied him in the future if he doesn’t get one. But, times are different now, so who knows. As of right now, he only has one more shot at an interview anyway.

I’m not sure this isn’t a weakness in his applications. He is hitting a point in his current job where many of his peers are choosing to leave for other opportunities. I think he is ready for a change, and I think he wanted to take his shot at b-school. I believe if the other Round 1 school doesn’t pan out, he may not pursue any more applications in Round 2.

@plansrme - I agree. I am a person who takes my coffee black - both literally and figuratively, so just tell it to me straight. Unlike the other school where he will now have to check his email each business day between now and November 4th to see if he receives an invite to interview there. Hopefully, I will be able to report back before then that he has been invited, but at least he will know by then. Honestly, I am somewhat concerned that he is applying because he knows dh and I think it’s something he ought to do. I think he is wanting a change (many of his peers are leaving the firm and taking new jobs), but I am not sure how much his heart is into it. It’ll be interesting to see if he follows through and applies to any round two schools if this second Round one school is also a, “no.” I only want him to do that if that is what HE wants to do.

Dinged. No interview invite from the one school. He has been, “released.” What an interesting term for, “rejected.” He seems okay, but I am sure he is disappointed. Daily email check-ins on the other between now and November 4th. Gonna be a long five weeks.

Candy corn mixed with dry roasted peanuts. Or just plain candy corn, but it’s better with the peanuts. I haven’t bought any candy corn in the last three years. I just can’t have it around.

So the other school emailed applicants today that it will be sending emails with invites at the same time each day once a day on business days between now and November 4th. I guess if one has not received an invite by November 4th, you’re out. So annoying to me for ds to have to potentially check it 24 times! I really hope ds receives an invite AND receives one sooner rather than later. Sorry I am using this space as my venting space. When do we ever stop worrying about our adult kids??? I assume the answer is, “Never.”

I think you should share your feelings with your adult children. Tell them what you are experiencing and why. Obviously, they know that you have severed your relationship with the in-laws (do they have any relationship with them?), so your feelings are based on your own painful experiences. I’m sure they would understand that. Invite them to be open with you if they think you are crossing boundaries, getting up in their business too much, whatever. I think so many issues occur because people aren’t honest with their feelings. So be honest with yours to them and encourage them to be honest with theirs to you as well. I do understand that good communication will NOT work with a narcissist no matter how hard one tries. I’m just saying in normal, healthy relationships, people still get their feelings hurt and there are still issues, and it is usually because people aren’t open with how they are really feeling. At least that has been my experience.

One of ds’s two schools will drop interview invites next Tuesday. Possibilities are invited, a deferral to consideration in Round 2, or “release.” His other school extends invites on a truly rolling basis. None for that school have gone out yet. Vent: Ds still thought the one school dropping invites all at once also did rolling invites. They used to, but that changed a year or two ago. Bugs me that he is unaware of this sort of thing. And, it makes me wonder what he does or doesn’t know about the interview length, format, and it’s follow-up reflective essay should he receive an invitation.

My husband’s paternal grandmother was called, “Grandmother Last Name.” Talk about formal!

Cyn-Cyn I am not a grandmother and likely won’t be for many, many years. My plan had always been to be called, “Queenie,” but our close friends had their first grandson, and I wound up being, “Cyn-Cyn” to him. It just happened. So, I guess that is what I shall be! I’m fine with that. My husband would like to be called, “Big Daddy.” I have a friend whose name is Lori, and she goes by LaLa and hashtags all her pics with her grandson with #LaLaLand. My favorite story of the evolution of a grandmother name was a friend of mine who called her grandmother, “My mama.” This moniker came about because her own mother would say, “We’re going to my mama’s house!” when they were going to visit!

I thought this might be of interest here. It’s rather long, however. https://www.brookings.edu/research/enrollment-algorithms-are-contributing-to-the-crises-of-higher-education/?fbclid=IwAR27doMLD4ELNBW0Wlk_eo93lRl_GjFC8lFnPyR2SOFqOH24pbXhmn169Qo

Ds’s Round 1 applications are due today. He was planning on submitting two applications in this round. I’ve been behaving. He did text a couple of weekends ago and ask for the specific degree title from my undergrad and then what year I graduated from law school. (As an aside - why do schools always inquire as to the parents’ educational levels/attainments? I remember this being on the Common App as well). He even texted last night with some info about his holiday travel plans, and I resisted the temptation to ask, “Have you submitted yet??” or “Have your recommenders sent in their letters?” Thinking on this thread has helped keep me accountable - so thank you for that! I’m assuming he will let us know if he gets interview invites. I think one school is truly rolling with those. Nevertheless, I don’t expect any news until mid-October at the earliest. Here’s to hoping he doesn’t get dinged by both of them.

Photos, guitar, bible my mother carried when she married my dad, jewelry, phone & charger

Easy answer for me! Schrödinger’s cat If you have an only, he is simultaneously both the favorite and least favorite child. PS. I am an only as well. So, I really cannot relate to this. My dh has one sister who has one daughter. Mil has it so easy because this allows her to have her favorite son, daughter, son-in-law, daugher-in-law, granddaughter, and grandson.