My ddil had a very complicated pregnancy a couple of years ago. I went and stayed with the kids for a week when she and ds had to travel for her to have surgery, then went back to stay for the last part of the pregnancy (at their request). The week that I went early on, there were some things that really bothered me concerning cleaning up, clutter, etc.--and I am not a neat freak. It was very stressful to me, and caused a little friction between me and the grandchildren. When I went back longer term, I determined that I was not going to handle it the same way. We'd take a few minutes here and there to toss everything in its place and I wouldn't worry about having them help me; that was for ds and ddil to train them in, and my few months was not going to matter. It helped me relax and be able to enjoy them so much more. It also helped tremendously that ds had instigated the rule that scissors were out of reach 😂(dgd was "always" doing projects that involved cutting up pieces of paper so there were little paper scraps constantly all over the floor). I am conscientious and intentional about respecting that their parents are the parents, and try hard not to either undermine their parenting or take it on as my responsibility.

Another advantage of the Kindle, at least the Paperwhite, is that it eliminates the need for a flashlight and page turning under the covers.😂 Dh had to go to bed early because of an early thing the next morning. I, however, was deeply involved in my murder mystery and already cozy in bed. So I just put my book under the covers and read until midnight. Brought back childhood memories. ETA: It did get a little hot under there, though.😜

This is definitely true for me. I'm having trouble reading smaller fonts, and also many of my books have "aged" pages, and it makes it harder for me to distinguish the words. I still buy regular books, but for pleasure reading, I usually use my Kindle. In regular books, I mark them up, underline, etc., and I also flip back to check something said earlier on. I wish I could still do that with all my reading. (I know you can "underline" in the Kindle, but it doesn't have the same effect for me.) However, the Kindle does have the advantage that it is very easy to slip it into my purse to take anywhere.

That's just so sweet!!❤️❤️❤️ And true!

We lived either far away or overseas when our children were small, other than a year here and there. We didn't have the little photo albums, but it always amazed me at how our usually rather shy children immediately felt comfortable with our parents when we saw them again after several years. It was as though they just knew these people were different, were special, and there wasn't that awkwardness to have to get over, at least not more than a few hours maybe. Of course, it helped that our parents were good with them, too.

We are far away from our grandchildren. They are 7yo and younger, so not yet at a point where they could visit alone, nor do they have phones. When our kids have asked us if we could go stay with them at their house while the parents go on a trip, we say yes if we possibly can, and that has been good to build relationships. We FaceTime--not regularly because of scheduling on their end, but they always seem excited to talk. With the oldest two, they always wanted me to read to them, so I would turn the camera to face the book pages, and we'd do readalouds. They are both in school now, and are not as interested in doing that anymore, but we all enjoyed it when they did. When one family came last year for Christmas, my little 4yo grandson asked, "Nani, why do you have so many kids' books and toys?" I said, "Because I want you to feel welcome when you come to my house!" I could tell by his face that he was thinking that one over. We gave them craft items for most of their gifts, and they sat at the table for hours doing their crafts. In general, we respect our kids' rules and parenting decisions. If the child asks for something (food item or movie, etc.), I say, "Go ask your mom (or dad) if it's okay!" We ask the parents first privately before suggesting an outing or activity. We ask about gifts before we choose what to give. We let them know if we are heading to their part of the country for vacation or a holiday, but have always assured them that while we are happy to see them and spend time with them whenever they can, either here or there, we know they have to work things out with other family members as well, so that is for them to work out with their spouse. So far, I think it is working. Our grandchildren have expressed that they like to come to our house, and ask their parents when they can come. That's a win, in my book!

Those ads at the top of news sites. They are so big, and it's hard for me to read the page--it's so annoying. I mean, eventually it disappears as I scroll up, but it still feels in the way. The design in many textbooks and magazines, as well as some other books, where they have text boxes all over the place. It is so distracting, and disturbs the flow of my reading. I can't see how it doesn't cause problems for students when they are trying to focus on reading--it's right there on the page, not to mention outside distractions.

Same to the cloudy. We've got the glasses, but there is nothing to see. Once we saw a full eclipse where it became black as night. It was sooo awesome! Creepy, but awesome!

I don't think it is over the top either way. I don't think it is anything to avoid the girl over, or to think it's awful the mom dealt with it. I wouldn't get defensive with the mom. It's just part of learning social skills. What you (and your buddies) think is funny may not be, or may not be more than once or twice, even with your best buddies. Making him aware of that is part of teaching him to think about how what he says affects others, even if they laugh. Kindness is always a good way to lean.

Congratulations!

My dh has always been super conscientious about dental care. But some people are just more prone to issues. I would get it done.

It may be one of those things that was kind of funny at first, but has really gotten old over time. I have had some things like that in my life that became more and more hurtful. And sometimes a person laughs because they don't know what else to do. They don't want to be seen as whiny or too sensitive. I'd tell the mom, "I'm sorry. I will talk to him about it." And I'd tell my son(s) that it might be the way everybody talks, but it does get old, and sometimes it is hurtful whether you mean for it to be or not. If you know it bothers someone, then it is time to stop. A simple apology probably wouldn't hurt, either. "I'm sorry. I was kidding around and didn't realize it was hurtful. I'll stop." No need for a long lecture or discussion about it to either one. When I was in middle school, sarcasm was a really big thing. There was a guy a couple of years older than me, a family/church friend, who I had a big crush on. So I was sarcastic to him (go figure--it was the thing!). Finally, one day he asked me why I did that. I immediately stopped. It had never occurred to me that it bothered him.

I'm getting grumpier by the minute just reading what makes everybody else grumpy!😂 Streaming services--there is no way we could afford to pay for a bunch of these to watch a few shows/series on each one. There are shows I'd love to watch, but I am not going to pay for your streaming service along with every other streaming service in order to do so. Isn't there a better way to do this so that the people who should earn the money off the shows can do so, yet there is more available to watch for everybody? Wax on fresh produce.

My dh needed it done. They also recommended a different toothpaste that is supposed to help with that. It should help prevent more serious gum disease, if I understand correctly.

Dh and I call back and forth when he is overseas, but our phone plan is international, so it covers that. I don't know otherwise.

I'm excited to have all these new suggestions. I haven't seen a lot of these before. I am currently reading Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series as soon as each one gets free from the library, and was wondering what I would read when I'm done.

Oh good grief! Yes, it is, I don't know how that came out as Sayer!! Going now to change it.

The Pioneer Woman has a recipe in one of her cookbooks that I like a lot, but I can't find it online. I usually use frozen butternut squash because it's easier than cutting up one and I don't have them fresh from the garden. Anyway, cube the squash and sauté it in butter. When it is tender, add kale, salt, pepper, and some chili powder, and put the top on the pot until the kale wilts.

Oh, I have also enjoyed The Vanderbeekers books. Along the lines of The Penderwicks.

Well, that, but also I've been meaning to join for awhile. I may not stay if it gets too stressful and I decide I'd rather bury my head for sanity's sake, but I will try it.

I would like to join the politics board, but I don't remember how.

Same

Have you read Elizabeth Gaskell's books? North and South is good, as are the others. My favorite, however, is Wives and Daughters. The character development is so good. She takes her characters from being rather flat to full-fledged humans--kind of like we do in real life as we get to know people. Wilkie Collin's The Moonstone and The Woman in White A newer book is Daniel Nayeri's Everything Sad is Untrue. Autobiographical and has Christian themes. When I started it, I was a little befuddled at the acclaims it was getting because it was a little hard to get into. But it is actually using the circular way of thinking of many peoples in the world, and building on each circle. Then at one point, bam! it all starts coming together and is riveting from that point on.

Just an FYI, my dh travels a lot internationally. Hotel internet services (domestic and foreign) tend to be less secure, so he always uses hotspots for his computer access rather than the hotel's connection.

In my defense, I have had a nasty cold, and am just beginning to feel better, so I'm behind on all the things pertaining to house upkeep. I usually try to keep the mail, etc., off the table, because we only have one table for eating from besides the one outside, so I want it to look nice and not have to be cleared for eating. In general, though, today is the first fall weather we have had, and I usually wait until closer to the end of October to put out my fall decor. I don't have a lot; just a wreath I made and a few other things. I'm not as big on seasonal decor as many, in part because I don't really like to dust.