Left on the main floor are 2 of us...my son and I. Other dd got married in September. I though will be happy to have a room for an office again.

I have done just 1-2 overnights and it was lovely. One of my favorite was going up to my friends cottage on a nice lake. I did meet her to walk but most of the time I was just by myself. I do remember the decision making though as I sat in the car in a parking lot trying to decide where and what I wanted to eat. I didn't have anyone else to please. I could chose anywhere I wanted. I ended up chosing little ceasars for one meal and Chinese take out for another. I suggest just 1-2 days to start if you can and see if you like it.

I love the colors too. The hardwood is actually waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring. For a space without a lot of natural light (a small window in the living area and an egress window in each bedroom) it is warm and cozy while still bright.

If anyone cares: Main wall color is SW Useful Gray....I LOVE it. Bathroom is SW wilted flaxflower...or other flaxflower name Flooring is Menards LVP Vericore in Pecan.

She is very excited. She wants her own space but will always need some support and supervision so this is the best of both worlds. Someday, worse case scenario, if something happens to me, my son (also special needs) can move into the other bedroom and then the upstairs can be rented out in exchange for monitoring, etc.

I had asked a lot of questions here on flooring, paint colors, etc. Here are pictures from tonight. Tomorrow is final inspection and then move in starts tomorrow evening. This is the lower level of my ranch house. It won't have a stove and doesn't have a private entrance but will give her a nice private "apartment" like setting. First picture is kitchenette. Fridge is coming next week. She will also have a toaster oven and microwave and electric frying pan. Second picture is 3/4 bath. Other side has 4ft shower and linen closet Third picture is living area Fourth picture is her bedroom. Shadow box on back wall is actually entry to crawl space. Carpeting will do in closet on the left which runs under the stairs. Box is her tuft and needle bed. There is one more bedroom not pictured.

I am glad you are on a path towards answers. It sounds like the doctor is really good and not just a hand out meds type.

So sorry for your loss.

I can't get to my Christmas stuff.....it is buried. That is beautiful though.

Was the house clean? How was the home inspection?

Yes to Hospice.

Here is my list for 2020

Here is my latest blog post...... This weekend has been rough. To be honest, the week was rough. Busy schedules, kids dealing with trauma issues, and a major basement remodel project going on has me tired and worn out. This morning I had to drive my son to work bright and sorta early. Before that though, I needed to get the second coat of paint on the walls of the new basement bathroom. That meant I was dressed in my finest of painting clothes—paint splattered old threadbare jeans, an over-sized bright red tee-shirt proclaiming “We are the Village” (from my adoption group), and my paint splattered crocs. I figured no big deal. I get in the car, drive him to work, drive back home, and continue with the painting in another room. After I dropped him off at work, I realized that we needed milk. I knew I was too tired to go home, shower, change clothes, and drive back to the store. Therefore, I made the bold (or lazy, depending on your perspective) decision to head into the local big box store that was on my way home. As I am walking into the grocery section of the store, I remember all of the other groceries we really need, so I grab a cart on the way. I am now an offical “people of ………….”poster child. You know the kind that they make fun of on Facebook. The overweight, those not dressed very well, people who don’t measure up to some artificial standards. But…. That got me thinking. No one in the store knows that I am in the middle of painting a new living space for my daughter with special needs. They do not realize that I have been dealing with outbursts of a child who is struggling with trauma and missing dad. It isn’t obvious that I am a single mom struggling to figure out how to do “guy stuff”. Not a soul in the store knows that I had spent hours in tears and prayer the night before. All they can see is an overweight, middle-aged mom in ragged, strained clothing who is wearing crocs with socks out in public. For the first time ever, I am stopped at the door to “check my receipt”. From my looks, I fit the profile of someone that just might be trying to steal that gallon of milk or loaf of bread. Practice Kindness If you are the ragged mom in the store, take heart. You are NOT alone. I am right there with you. You are valuable. What you are doing matters. If we make it on the “People of …………..” FB posts maybe we can share in the riches. Everyone else, if you are one that see us, please, practice kindness. Kindness costs nothing but its value is more than gold. A kind word, a friendly smile, a nod of understanding, etc. goes a long ways. Remember that the person you are quick to judge is someone’s loved one and might be carrying burdens you can’t imagine.

Last year I went with 52 small challenges.....things like drink coffee every day for a week (never a coffee drinker before), hike with a friend, take each of my kids out for a meal alone, bike a new trail, send out 5 cards, attend a free community concert etc. Nothing big or expensive. I managed 48 or so already this year. A few won't be doable like cross country ski somewhere new...due to no snow currently. I plan on doing the same for next year. Just 52 small challenges that take me a bit outside of my comfort zone, work on my health, connect with people, etc.

If it is a home study/foster care thing, don't fret it too much. They know kids live in the house. There is a joke in the foster circles about everything being perfect your first home visit, picked up the second, and after a few more you are doing great if you have a bra on and your teeth brushed.

Ugg. Can this be done if he set up the accounts originally with his email? Can I just do it if he logs in, I send him out of the room and set up the parental controls with the pin without him knowing the pin? It is social media he doesn't need to be on right now.

I have one that has trouble with the internet lately. Currently x box one is in time out. I seriously don't mind the game playing and I can set the router for a certain time frame. My issue is all of the other things you can do on an x box. I found out the hard way you can FB message and watch you tube. Is there anything that can be accessed via an x box? Again, I don't mind some time gaming, I just want to know what else I need to monitor, try to block, etc.

I would go given the health of aging family members. Any chance you can "phone a friend" and ask them to drive you there (either in your car or you paying expenses). That way you have company on the ride and you could hit online stores to order the gifts you still need.

We don't have apple but this is what makes monitoring electronics for vulnerable kids so hard. I know many will say to stay involved with your kids, etc. and on and on. I have, and I do stay involved but I still need the way to block contact with 1-2 toxic people....and that seems almost impossible to do.

YES....auto correct that I missed. Maybe they can test his levels again. It certainly won't cure everything but I have often found that each piece of the puzzle is important to getting the big picture right.

I am not familiar with this particular form, but I do know that in some cases VIt B shots can help as can some antipsychotic medications. You need someone experienced in elder care though as meds can react differently in the elderly than they do in younger people.

I had an Aussie rescue for over 10 years. She was a great dog. She never barked...like months could go by between hearing her bark...and then if she did, it was something serious. That said, I lived on a horse farm for the first 9 years we had her. She had free roam of the farm, went on 4+ mile horseback rides (running alongside the horses), sat on her hill watching the horses, gently herded the chickens, etc. I never had her be unsafe with any kids but I also never let her along with preschool kids. I loved her and as an Aussie I could talk her for walks off leash (where allowed) and she stayed right by me. That said, I don't think a younger Aussie would be good for inside the house or someone not prepared to give them a job and lots of exercise.

I am in the middle of a basement finishing project.....2 bedrooms, kitchenette, living room, and bath. That means all furniture is in storage blocking my tree. I spend every weekend and evening working in projects to save me money ....like doing the painting. I could likely set up the tree by the 23rd but I also have extra furniture and glass from the coffee tables in the LR. I have no desire or energy for this

I agree. One carpet salesman once told me to take the dirtiest part of my current carpet and buy that color.😊. It works.

I read the review....and got to see your picture 😀. Now I want to read more of your reviews as you think like me. I didn't read the book and obviously don't need to. I struggle as so many "Christian" books out there aren't Biblical and/or aren't worth reading.