No, I learned early on that as long as I kept my parents informed as to where I was and who I was with, things ran smoothly. So I respected their need to know so they didn't worry. I was only hanging out with my church friends playing Rook or Spades, anyway, at one of our houses. I also said no as to my kids, because of the circumstances where we were living at the time.

I haven't, but I'll put it on my "read" list.

I have monitored in the past, quite regularly for long periods of time. I haven't monitored regularly in the past year or so, but my A1C has ranged from 5.4-5.7, more often 5.4-5.5. The only wheat I know of that I've eaten since I started this was the couple of times I have eaten pizza. I didn't notice any reaction at those times. I haven't had any other grains that I know of. (I.e., it would only be in trace amounts in something, if so).

I don't know--we eat a lot of whole foods anyway. I am eating more green vegetables.

So I'm going to start this thread and then be out most of the day, but I wanted to get some thoughts down. About five weeks ago, I started eating keto-ish. I am diabetic, though my A1C has been below 6 most of the time for years. Different doctors (in different places) have disagreed on whether I am actually diabetic or just metabolic resistant. I've been on metformin for about 18 years. My body is diabetic shape--big belly, etc., and I've always struggled with my weight. I didn't really plan to start eating keto, but needed a jump start because I couldn't seem to get going on anything. I am, for the most part, trying to eat a healthy keto, that is, not so much of preserved meats, and include lots of low-carb veggies. I do eat some of the low carb "bars" occasionally, usually to help tide me over when I feel extra hungry, but would like to eventually leave those only for emergencies. Most days, I am also fasting from after dinner to lunch the next day, but I'm giving myself the option to break the fast earlier if needed. Twice, I have eaten regular pizza on Friday nights (family tradition), and one day I had a really bad cheat day with lots of sugar. Apparently, today I have just finished a discouraging plateau of not only no weight loss, but even weight gain, without any consistent reason of why. Today, I am encouraged again. If what I weighed this morning is "true," I have lost 12 lbs--not too shabby at all. I know I always need to eat lower sugar, but wonder off and on about what my healthy and under control levels should be as per things like fruit other than berries, oatmeal, etc. Anyway, I have heard people mention here things along this line, but I'm beginning to really wonder if I have a wheat allergy or at least sensitivity. Or is this due simply to carb reduction? There are some changes that have slowly happened over these five weeks that are interesting, and somewhat unexpected: *I had been having headaches fairly often--I contributed them to sinus headaches due to seasonal allergies. I haven't had one in several weeks. *The swelling under my eyes has almost disappeared. They are still a bit puffy sometimes, but it is much less. *TMI--Sex drive has returned more like earlier years (last week or so). I haven't lost enough weight to make me look different, and it doesn't seem to be to be psychological due to simply self-control in eating, and therefore feeling better about myself. *Sense of well-being. I don't know how else to word this one. It isn't exactly like just feeling better. But in spite of some heavy emotional loads due to things some people dear to me (not family) are going through, I have noticed this past week that I just feel better emotionally. This was completely unexpected and is a little weird, to be honest. Anyway, I've got to head out, but would be interested to hear the thoughts of others who have done something similar. Though I knew there were some discomforts here and there that I was experiencing, and mostly considered them age/weight related, I would not have said I felt bad before, or was sensitive to grains or anything. This has happened gradually, and is also not one of those, "I've been eating this way and everybody else should too, because it is the solution to all your problems" post/testimonies. I just find it interesting and would like to know if others have experienced anything like this.

That's really pretty--and I think it looks much nicer than any of the earlier ones you linked.

Aw, I think you are overthinking it. Seems harmless to me. Really, there are so many ways people can read cover letters that it would be almost impossible to provide the exact tone in them to please everybody. You showed light humor that reflects your personality, but it certainly wasn't over the top or anything, so I wouldn't worry about it.

As far as putting meals in the freezer, depends so much on your dad. When I have travelled, there have been times when I made sure there were meals in the freezer that required minimal preparation, usually only being thawed and heated. Even so, my guys would end up going out to eat or something, as if I hadn't planned everything all out. So it's possible that even if you put meals in the freezer, he might not take the trouble to cook them, as I think a couple of people above mentioned happening with family members.

I agree with the others: Meals on Wheels, then an occasional meal from you. Your schedule is already so full, that it seems like you will enjoy his being closer a whole lot more if you can just drop by and visit with a few groceries rather than waiting until you have a full meal to take. He will enjoy an occasional meal, but will probably enjoy the quick visits now and then even more. It will also help him not feel like a bother--something all of our older family members have worried about. This is something he can do for himself that will not require extra work from you, and that will probably help him feel more useful, which is a big deal when you get older.

@Quill, were you able to stop things before any transactions took place?

I've never noticed my frozen cookies being more crumbly, but maybe that depends on the type they are and how long they stay in the freezer. My mom used to bake mountains of her chocolate chip cookies and freeze them. The grandkids would sneak them out and eat them frozen. If they'd been in there long, and she got out a container, they would sometimes be more crumbly. But for a short time (a few days), they never have been. These are crunchy chocolate chip cookies that were rather famous among my friends when I was growing up.

I think it was rude. I have some mixed feelings reading some of the other responses though. I never intended to be entitled-acting; however...when we got married, apparently one of the store owners in dh's little town must have decided we would like a certain pattern of decorative items. We received 3-4 things in that pattern. It was not at all in our tastes. They were items that were not useful (except maybe a pitcher--long time ago, so I don't remember), and were all or mostly just for display. I'm sure that there are those who would have really liked them. But dh and I are of a very practical mind. Not knowing the whole story (still don't, just assuming), we took the items back and exchanged them for two lawn chairs and an ice cream freezer, which we enjoyed using for several years, the chairs almost daily. We were students, and didn't have room for something we couldn't actually use. The store-owner seemed offended, which is what made us think that she had made the suggestions. So I really do appreciate registries. Many times, we didn't have space for things that were not what we really needed, so unless I know the person really well, and usually even if I do, I try to go by the registry if possible. If I couldn't afford anything on the registry, I'd either go with books (for baby), or something like dish towels in their colors (for bride).

This might not be easy "enough," but if you use some frozen veggies from the grocery, that will simplify it a lot. Our whole family likes this: Bake potatoes (in the microwave). Steam plenty of broccoli, carrots, onions, cauliflower, and mushrooms (if desired). Cut up the potatoes with skins on into either halves or smaller pieces and put them in a baking dish. Toss the veggies with a liberal amount of soy sauce and layer over the potatoes. Add any additional salt or pepper if needed. Sprinkle liberally with grated cheddar cheese, and put in the oven until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream if desired. So yummy.

With the support of everyone else who has seen her and you've talked to, I would just keep doing what you are doing unless she seems in distress. Which is what it sounds like you are doing. If she started getting anxious or seemed uncomfortable, I'm sure you would look at other options, but under the circumstances, I'd just try to keep her as comfortable as possible, and her surroundings as peaceful as possible (well, except for the TV shows she is wanting to watch, lol).

I saw this while you are in your interview. Prayed for you that you are able to express yourself clearly and well.

When I posted that I feel for his wife, it had nothing to do with any of this stuff. I'm sorry she has suffered such devastating loss in losing both a husband and a child. I'm not a sports fan, though I catch things here and there when dh and ds watch things. I don't follow celebrities of any kind very closely, and the more people are idolized, the more I tend to shy away from them. It has really bothered me how little focus has been on the others who lost loved ones in the crash. On their behalf, I keep wanting to say, "But my child/spouse/friend died too, and they were important to people as well!" I did actually see a quote on CNN this morning that voiced a similar response, and I was so glad that CNN included it.

His poor wife. To lose her husband and daughter both; so tragic. And it looks like their youngest isn't even a year old yet. I didn't know this before--just looked up their family.

Personally, I would claim it. Depending on how you are assessing the damages, there might be more than you think. A deer hit me last year--tried to jump over my car and landed full-on on the windshield and hood. I was pretty much stopped by then because there were other deer in front of me. Yet, the damage was about $3500. Of course, if your damage has been fully assessed, and your personal finances are able to cover it, that might be different.

I had always heard that about people in NYC. Interestingly, when I went on a visit and was out-and-about by myself one day, every single person that I stopped to ask a question as to where I might find something, etc., was nothing but kind and helpful. Not one brusque or rude person among them, and I know many of them probably didn't need my interruptions to their activities. Yet, they helped me and not one of them made me feel like I was an annoyance. Just like anywhere, I'm sure there are those types, but I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't find them.

Velvet ears, soulful eyes. ❤️

Gas, restaurant (esp. fast food types), coffee shop, etc., gift cards are popular around here for college students, both for dorm students and those living at home. If you don't want cards, dri-fit shirts are well-liked, too. ETA: And SmartWool socks.

I've had bad readings from those machines before. I had to get all twisted up to get my arm in it right and it raised my numbers. It would probably be much more accurate at the Urgent Care, unless he can sit in the right position.

I've found this thread interesting and bothersome and kind of all over the road for me, ha. American here, who lived many years overseas in several different countries. I've seen the ugly American and cringed, especially when I'd lived overseas awhile and understood how they'd be taken in the particular context I was in. I've watched the news and felt embarrassed. I've resented it when I overheard a person native to the country I was living in discussing with someone else how he'd become an American citizen because of Social Security, and made it clear (through other comments I'll leave out here) that he was just taking advantage of what he could, with no real affection for our country. I've been both treated better because I'm an American, and been treated hostilely for the same. I've developed my own stereotypes of groups and nationalities based on observations and interactions, right or wrong. I'm sure I've contributed to some stereotypes as well, hopefully good, but no guarantees. I've probably had some habits either due to my being an American or due to my own personal quirks, that felt disrespectful to those in my host countries. I've been asked questions that clearly reflected stereotypes built upon television shows. There were times my frustrations (culture shock, anyone?) outspoke my common sense and patience. I love my country, and am so happy to be living in it again, but I also cringe sometimes at the type of patriotism that has changed tone since I was a kid. Or maybe I just see it through the overseas lens now. So a few thoughts: There are arrogant and obnoxious people living all over the world. There are selfless and kind people living all over the world. Sometimes those two groups get confused because: There are lots of misunderstandings that happen due to both large and small differences in culture, even within our own country. Having grace toward one another's maladaptations and misspeaks is helpful. I'm thankful people had grace toward me. When you travel or move to another country, you go as a humble learner. There are things that I (internally) scorned in my early travels, that later I understood and even adopted as my own, feeling shame at my earlier attitudes. Don't be surprised that people really do actually live differently than they do in your country, in what they do, how they eat, how they speak, what they think, and so on. I mean, you know it in your head, but when you are actually there and encounter it, you are still surprised sometimes. When you are the host country, respect the visitor. And now maybe I'm coming across as the American know-it-all. But I've definitely made more than my share of cultural mistakes. I'm probably still making plenty as I readjust to the U.S., and to a new-to-me part of the country. I'm so grateful that people have been patient with me and let me learn and be enriched by their cultures and themselves. As to this board, I do some "talk to the WTM forums" speak, especially when starting a thread, because I have trepidations about where it might end up. Sometimes it takes a completely different path, sometimes a simple question receives answers that are way more than what was asked, etc. Just some meandering thoughts I've had as I've read this.

Given this information, no, I wouldn't have them do this.

Good for you! I'm sure you will do great.