I looked quite a long time at springer spaniels, as I had a friend (in our former location) who had a wonderful one I loved on when I visited her. After reading about springer rage, though, I had second thoughts. My dad had beagles for several years, and I liked them, but ours were not house dogs. They were sweet, but it was hard to get really attached to them since he used them for running rabbits and we weren't around them as much. I still have trouble seeing them as house dogs.

What a sweetie! It may still be awhile before we can get one, but I'm keeping my eyes open.

Oh, I know they are not non-shedding! I said I was going back and forth over what type, shedding or not.

You see, those goldens' eyes are what always get me. They have such loving eyes. When I was a child, we had a mutt for a time that had the kindest, most loving eyes I have ever seen on a dog. I know he understood everything I told him, lol, because he looked at me with such sympathy after I told him my troubles. I'd love another dog like Pete. ❤️

Yes, I think the aussie tendencies might be more high strung than we want, but I'm still researching the aussiedoodle mix. We're currently dog-sitting a Maltese--friends' dog we keep often. We'd like a little less velcro-y than she is, but still want an affectionate, social dog.

You all have convinced me. I don't want one as big as this is probably going to be; outside is one thing, but in the house? I don't think so! Plus, while we've had dogs before, we aren't "experienced" owners as far as training difficult dogs. All along I've been leaning toward a mini-goldendoodle. I know the arguments against them, but the personality ranges are pretty much what we want. I'm also following mini-whoodles and mini-aussiedoodles. Our dd's dog is a standard goldendoodle. He's such a great dog! Just tall. So tall. ETA: Oh, and your basic good ol' family golden retriever. Been looking at them as well.

60-70 lb stocky dog would probably be fine. But dd's 60 lb slim dog is so tall!

I'm thinking his figures on the size have to be off, even if they are small for their respective breeds.

So...I have been looking at dogs for a long long time. There are several different directions we could go, and we may not be quite ready for one yet, depending on the situation. There are several breeds/mixes that would be fine, I think, depending on the personality of the individual dog. A rescue dog here in our town is not a possibility, just trust me--I've looked at them periodically for months, so no need to recommend that. I go back and forth over medium/large (up to about 60 lbs) or medium/small (30-40 lbs), shedding or non-shedding breed, etc. So I'm not locked in yet. I've just been waiting more to see what specific circumstances turn up. Today I found out from someone we know that they have some chocolate lab/Pyrenees mix puppies. (Both parents are on the smaller side for their breed, so probably about 60 lbs adult.) That sounds like a good personality mix for a family dog to me, but I'd like feedback from you guys. Our kids at home are teens, but we want a dog good with young children as well, due to grandchildren and guests. We have a fenced backyard, and a walkable neighborhood. So, those of you who are dog people, talk me through this, and what info can you give me about a mix of those two? ETA: I don't know tons yet about these particular pups, because I don't want to start pursuing it if I find out from other research that it's not something we want to consider.

In the case I mentioned, because there was a large group of us, it was hardly noticeable. If it was a crowded restaurant, and just myself with another person, I probably wouldn't do it. But otherwise, they would lose money if your whole group went somewhere else because of one person. Most restaurants would be understanding if you simply said, "I have dietary issues, but want to enjoy time with my family, etc., if that is okay."

My daughter's mil eats a very restricted diet. So if we all go out to eat together, she just takes her little storage container of special food and eats with us. Nobody thinks anything about it, and the restaurants have never said anything to her. I can't remember if she orders a drink or not, but the rest of us are ordering meals. It might not always be convenient, but it helps her not eat things that she can't handle. ETA: At your in-laws, you could say, "I've been having some tummy issues, and I'm having to eat food I know it can handle," or something similar, depending on the type of food you take.

I chose the teal one because of the lovely colors, but that penguin is adorable, so either one would be great!

I agree with the others--those quilted ones are SO nice! Owls are cute too, but I'd fight over the quilted ones! ☺️

But they sure are loud when you drop them on those tile floors! 😜 (Better than shards, I know.) We used to have tile floors and some stainless steel cups. The sound waves bounced all over the place when we dropped one of those, lol.

I just tried to look it up, but I can't find it, so I don't know. It looked just like that, but smaller. The paper bent rather than rolled, and it was hard to scratch off without tearing.

Did you see those other flavored candy canes below the kale ones? Mac and cheese, pizza, lol. It's certainly tempting! I bet they'd be great for a white elephant gift.

I bought a similar scratch map a couple of years ago, and it wasn't near as nice as it looked. In fact, it looked just like that, only a smaller version. I thought it was such a great idea, but...anyway, just fyi.

Ya'll are bringing up all kinds of childhood memories of deliciousness! 😄 Church potlucks, big family get-togethers, etc. My mom didn't make too many of these jello concoctions, but she had a congealed strawberry salad that was/is always a winner. My favorite when I was a child was one she made with black cherry jello and canned cherries. (Or was that cherry jello with canned black cherries maybe?)

Well, I'd love a treadmill, but we can't afford one right now. And I might would fall off of it if I tried to read at the same time. Maybe a fitness book or two might help.

Not taken as preaching, you're fine. ❤️

This has been a floundering year for me. I'm disappointed in myself. I have read 42 books so far, but a lot of them were empty calorie books rather than productive growth-producing books. I haven't lost any weight, and it is much needed. I'm not exercising regularly, though I started a few times. And so on. I don't like the lack of discipline I have shown this year. I'm struggling with working, because now that I've been doing it almost two years, I'm just not a fan, lol. When I come home, I'm tired and only want to waste time on the computer or binge-watch something. So I haven't really accomplished much this year. That's not the way I want to live, so this thread is a good wake-up call. I hadn't even thought about it until you asked the question, Quill, and now I'm thinking, "Wow, I need a kick in the pants and some goals!"

Yes, yes it is! And that's pretty much the only thing I ever make with jello, though my boys (and dh) do like it.

Oh gross gross gross! 😂 Yes, I mean stuffing that isn't stuffed, otherwise known as dressing.

I was sitting here feeling so self-righteous about the jello salad stuff, when I realized that one of our traditional Thanksgiving dishes is "cranberry salad," a jello based dish with cranberries, nuts, pineapple, etc. in it. (eye-roll emoji) In fact, this year, my family recommended I leave off cranberry sauce and just do the "salad." (It really is good, though, especially with the dressing.)

Oh, Dawn. How horrific. I'm so sorry. ❤️