Glad to see I am not alone. I want to stick with clean, light hearted no think books for my twaddle. I live a good, well written book but sometimes when I finish one I just need a brain break from something that needs thought and pondering . I am struggling though to find clean ones through overdrive for my Kindle and audiobooks.

Tonight I am looking for another book to read in my Kindle. I have several.good ones I could get from the library. Problem is none of them appeal to me right now. I am honestly in the mood for a twaddle/fluff book. Yesterday I finished a short easy Amish fiction (and doesn't even seem too plausible) but it was just a nice mind break. Does anyone else get times like these? If so, anything good to suggest? I like light, clean, funny, etc for times like these.

I can't see ages, but I like this idea. I understand and support the needs of the kids but there are also the needs of the parents and marriage to consider. One night away with Grandma and other siblings might be rough but not likely to have long lasting negative impacts. Time away with just dh to relax and reconnect could have long term positive impacts.

18 year old deserves you full attention and some "adult" time. If you have a capable sitter the other ones will all survive 36 hours with out mom and dad. Even if you have to call in an extra sitter for part of the time I would do that vs. taking younger ones along. You have years left to do lots of stuff with the younger ones. Your time with the oldest is quite limited and they deserve this time....and so do you and your husband. Just say, "sorry, I misspoke. College visits are only for the student gong to college and their parents."

I have a degree in special ed and psychology. Most of my teacher certificate classes were pretty worthless. A few helpful but not overly so My teaching reading classes didn't cover how to teach phonics....so don't assume that new teachers are learning to teach phonics....many aren't. The how to teach math class was more of a joke I honestly learned more on teaching special needs through homeschooling and pouring over various curriculums, etc I do think that we need people who know how to teach but also are great in their subject/level areas. The best chemistry teacher might make the worst K teacher....even if they are both excellent teachers. Increasing the pay would certainly help. 20 years ago my ex husband was a paraprofessional for the ISD making MORE than I am now....not even adjusted for inflation. His hourly rate 20 years ago was more than mine now....and he had full family medical coverage and I get $ towards a single plan and can buy extra . With the rising costs of college just to get certified and the low pay comparatively we aren't going to attract the best there are

Nice. I have to admit that I really miss my gas log fireplace but I used it a lot, it was insulated, and had screen caps so no critters got in.

No flu test. I do have a nebulizer and did the duoneb. It wasn't enough. I needed the steroids. Feeling so much better today. Next time I will hit it harder and faster. It has been 4 years. I know to do this with my daughter....but I kept trying to convince myself it wasn't that bad. My peak flows are now back in green after hanging out near red/yellow line. I just so rarely get sick but I do have weaker lungs due to a heart defect that had them filled with fluid and 2 bouts of CHF. My lung capacity is only 66% of normal on a good day. Hind sight is 20)20.

Calling it bronchitis/possible early pneumonia. I have script for steroids and then one for an antibiotic if it gets worse. I have a severe allergic reaction to many antibiotics so want to avoid any if at all possible. I just want to quit coughing.

I am currently sitting in urgent care. Just had a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia. I am never sick. I had a cold 4 years after and a sinus infection 13 years ago.

I would first make sure that I had a solid emergency fund. Then maybe spend $50-100 and invest the rest or possibly use it for vacation.

It is a lovely day here....SUN in West Michigan for the second day in a row. We had more sun yesterday than in the past 25 days combined. And I am in the house with mild influenza or the crud. I want to be out walking but since I can hardly get across the house without a huge coughing fit I don't think I am up to a long walk 😞

If he did well with it, then it should be fine. Dr approved up the 3mg for my kids when they were much younger/smaller. Some people get nightmares or are groggy the next day, others have no side effects We noticed here that over time we could reduce the dose and are now down to less than 0.5mg.

I just finished The Parker Inheritance It is a middle grade book about 2 kids who seek to solve a mystery puzzle and along the way learn a lot about the civil rights issues of the 1950s. I really did enjoy it and think it would be great for middle age and above kids. The only warning I have is that there is a sub LGTBQ storyline. The book doesn't go into any real detail, but it is there and wrestled with a bit. Fine of adult to navigate but you might want to help younger kids navigate the issues with your guidance.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Cozy mystery set in 1950s England with an 11 year old heroine/detective.

My biggest concern is my DD who is immunocompromised. I will watch her closely. I am achy and have a headache, etc but not the hit by a Mac truck level.

I never get sick. Like I took 1 day off 4 years ago and my last antibiotic was 12-14 years ago. That said Friday I started with a cough and nasal drainage and mild headache. Cough has increased to where ribs are sore from coughing. Drainage is still clear. Called the doctor and got tesselon perels and Sudafed. Now tonight I have a low grade fever. I am staying home from work tomorrow. I did have the flu shot. Does this sound like a mild influenza or just a run of the mill crud? Does it matter?

Another option is call your local Kiwanis. Ours has Aktion Club which is for individuals with unique needs but they partner up with community groups too. Coat was $5/year.

My son with special needs is looking at getting an adult electric scooter. One that would be legal for the bike paths/sidewalks. He has great balance so no worries there. Does anyone have one? What should we look for? I see them online from $200-800. We are looking for durability and good battery/charging. He would likely use it almost daily for 8+ months a year. We are looking at ones like these for him to commute to and from work.

Special Olympics is open to all that qualify for an IEP....so it might be very different than you imagine. My foster son with just LDs qualified and loved it. I noticed a big switch with activities that were the K-6 range and then the 7-12 range. My kids did great in the K-6 activities/field trips, etc. About 7 the grade or so though the expectations really ramp up and that is where our kiddos struggles become a lot more apparent. Some individuals participating in special Olympics drive, have their own apartment, and/or work full time. It is a very encompassing group.

Special Olympics has been wonderful for my kids. Between the 3 of them they have done bowling, swimming, weight lifting, track and field, gymnastics, snowboarding, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and figure skating. As someone else mentioned, the gap will just widen between her and same age peers. I homeschooled mine K-6 grade but then put them in school in 7th as they needed to be around same level Peers. That worked out well.

Prayers for all of you. I am sure with the twins this is extra hard for them...and you

I agree with at least Calling her doctor and talking with family. I am totally behind just care and comfort, letting her eat what she wants, etc. If it is extra fluid, etc a med change just might make things a lot more comfortable for her

The "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning. This might have been a special deal but it is excellent. It has all of the "stuff" you would find on an everything bagel. basically I like almost everything at Aldi. Much cheaper, plus so much quicker to shop at. Their peanut butter was so-so (but it was years ago...as I am a JIF girl) and I am a HELMANS mayo girl. Almost everything else I have not had a problem with. The Parmesan encrusted chicken strips are REALLY good.

When you talk to the doctor, see about daily allergy meds, daily Flonase (HUGE factor here) and daily preventative inhaler. Those along with hitting any signs of symptoms hard and fast has made a huge difference here.

This week I finished Love Does by Bob Goff It is an absolute favorite of my sister so I picked it up. I did finish it but personally would only give it about 3 stars. I enjoyed the stories but I didn't agree with many of his spiritual applications. Might just be me though as it has extremely high reviews on Amazon and Overdrive. I also finished The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie I give this a solid 4 stars. It was an enjoyable listen as I drove back and forth to work. I might even read more of them in the series...and generally I am not a big series type person.