Skechers has some nicer (not sneakers) shoe models that our boys liked. They are comfy and not quite as expensive as some brands.

On the algebra issue, we've been in a variety of schooling situations over the years. While I know it's been trending that way, none of my kids took Algebra I in 8th grade (I don't think--it's possible one dd did), including my two still at home. In hindsight, I am glad they didn't. That extra year gave them a better understanding. Now, none of my kids have gone to an Ivy League for undergrad, but none of them have suffered either, and had no problems with entry into a good decent university or their courses there, except for my oldest, and that was late in his college career--and had nothing to do with academics--more to do with other things going on in his life. My most mathy/sciency child is now in an Ivy League for grad school and doing well. Of my four older kids, one has a master's degree, one is halfway through, and one is thinking about it. The other is happy currently with her BSN.

She's so cute. I like Whimsy, but she also looks like a Daisy to me.

Yes. Sadly, I have a ds who, at least at this period in time, doesn't seem to feel accepted or loved. We've made mistakes, sure, but we work very hard to try to make him realize how much we love and care for him. It's like loving a brick wall. Recently, I lost it with him a little bit and told him that we love him, we want a good relationship with him, and we want him to feel like he belongs. But we can't do it all ourselves--he has to take some responsibility and make some efforts too. It hurts us sometimes, but our main concern is that he's carrying around these feelings of...whatever it is, when it isn't necessary, because we see his gifts, we see what a great kid he is, we are NOT wishing he were like his brother or other siblings, etc. ETA: I didn't share with him that it hurts us sometimes and ff, but I did share with him that we see his gifts and ff.

Thanks, all. We aren't panicking or anything, just wanted to be proactive. The ticks are tiny, but I dropped them by the extension office, and should hear next week what kind they are (he found more, so there were five). That way, if he has a reaction, we will know the most likely direction to pursue. They were so small that pictures don't help, because I can't tell what they look like--but my sight isn't the best anyway. The attached ones were only on him for a few hours, so hopefully he won't have any problems. We don't have any pets, and the ticks were not from our yard. We also do not live in a tick disease-prone area, so that is also in our favor--but I didn't know that until after I had posted. He went back to work at the same place today, but sprayed his clothes well beforehand. He knows what to look for now, as far as watching for any reaction, etc. Again, thanks all.

I've never been there, but a couple of friends on the east coast took a trip to Iceland for about three days. Flights were cheap, they rented a car, and had a blast. Lots of interesting natural areas.

I called the county health department, who referred me to a nearby university extension office. They said they could identify the type of tick for me (I can't tell), but can't test. They said testing would likely be very expensive, so we won't go that route. We are new in this area, and haven't seen even one tick before now, so it wasn't on my radar as far as prevention sprays. It is now, though, and he knows to go prepared next time.

So...my ds was doing yard work at a property this morning (he works sometimes for a realtor), and came home with quite a few ticks. I wasn't here, but he was able to brush most of them off. We have two in a ziploc, and he is currently removing two more. Our local primary care doctor's office doesn't know anything about what to do with them. Where do we take the ticks to be tested?

Honestly, I don't think I really want a bigger house. Ours is sufficient and very cozy/comfortable. But I suppose some of that is related to finances, so...if that didn't matter, I'd like a guest room with it's own bath--mainly for our adult kids to have when they visit. And I'd like a library/music room with some comfy seating, lots of windows, and maybe a corner nook where I could put a nice treadmill without its being too blatantly in the way.

In agreement with the others as to asking them their preferences. The rehearsal dinners in our family have been low-key and a lot of fun. One, we had catered at the church fellowship hall by a bbq place. That was the largest wedding and wedding party, but still only cost us about $350 for everybody. We played CDs of love songs from the past in the background. Second one, the groom's parents brought hoagie supplies and reserved a pavilion at a local park. Fun and relaxed. Third, the groom's parents had everybody over to their house for...I think Italian food prepared by a restaurant. For that one, there wasn't an actual rehearsal because it was a very simple family wedding in a state park, but the parents wanted to have a get-together of the two families beforehand.

A counselor cat would provide dual benefits. Of course, with summer coming, you'd have to take the cat for a few months.

Your second paragraph resonates a lot with me in our present location. It isn't that I am polar opposite--I'm not. But there are oh so many issues on which I have a least a different angle/perspective, and I find myself watching my tongue (not a bad thing in itself), and often thinking, "If they knew what I really think, they might kick me out of the room." It can be rather exhausting at times, because I have to judge whether a comment here or there will help them grow in thinking things through, or will only ostracize me. I am trying to learn to focus on the things that I can learn from them; for example, they (generality, I know) tend to be more generous with their time and efforts on others' behalf than I am. ETA: Just thinking about this--I would be more comfortable, of course, being in a place where political discussions were not even a thing, where the environment was straight along the lines of what I believe. However, that isn't even so among my immediate family, lol. If I lived in an area where the majority viewpoint was the opposite as where I live, I would still be uncomfortable. Perhaps because, as stated several times above, so many people these days assume you believe the same way they do, so they don't enter into thoughtful discussion--just assumptions or battering the other side. I would prefer to be able to reasonably discuss the nuances.

Though there are exceptions on both sides, it seems to me that the change is in the "hopefulness" of the story. So many of the newer books seem to leave you in a bleaker place.

Thank you for posting that! I only sort of halfway watched the movie on our way-too-small TV we had at that time. Maybe I'll watch it again someday. But that clip gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes.

It sounds like a whole lot of fun.

Ds is now 18, but he started a W2 job last year. He signed up with a temp agency because a friend wanted to hire him but had to do it through the agency in order for his business to pay for it. So ds signed up with the agency but works only for this friend. It is not regular work, however; he helps a realtor clean properties and sometimes do yard work. He also does mowing for another friend who has an elder family member's lot to upkeep. I'm hoping he will get something more consistent soon. Younger ds does odd jobs occasionally. I'm hoping he finds something regular for the summer, because he needs something to keep him occupied. So while I answered the poll accurately, it might look like they work more regularly than they actually do.

This doesn't meet some of your suggested themes, but on the recommendation of several here, I am currently reading A Gentleman in Moscow. I probably shouldn't recommend it since I haven't finished it yet, but I am enjoying it so much.

There is a weird virus going around here that I hope we are able to avoid. I don't know all the symptoms, but have friends suffering from it. It involves fever, general "off" feeling, headaches, and zero energy. It's been 3-4 days so far. They think they feel better, then they crash again.

That's a great quote. Do you know who said it? Or did you?

I wouldn't in today's (U.S.) economy. I think I would enjoy having a small shop of some kind (breads, muffins, etc.) or books, or good-quality toys, if we were still in the days when having a small shop would be feasible financially. Back in the days when most retail stores were open 9-5 (when I was a small child, this really was true), regulations for baked goods were simpler, and taxes were not so complicated, for example. But not in these days, which is rather sad.

I don't have personal experience with ADHD, but I saw this online this morning, and thought it was interesting. https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/20/health/adhd-treatment-etns-device-fda-bn/index.html

I got some emails on my work computer this week. Now, I didn't read them over too carefully, but the gist was this: They have recorded video of me masturbating and I am scum for doing this in front of teenagers online; therefore, they will release the video(s) unless I pay them _____ in bitcoin. There was the initial email, then a followup one, something like "We really mean it!" Thankfully, I don't have to worry about the truth of this the least bit, so I just forwarded it to the IT security guy. He said, "At least it did go to SPAM."

My kids are older. I prefer down, or at least an option to move down in the future, if desired. Ranches are common where we are, and we could easily age in place. (Speaking of which, age comes a lot faster than you expect! 😳) If I could just wave a wand and get what I'd like, I'd either choose what we have right now--a ranch with no steps whatsoever and an easy floor plan, or something like my in-laws have--master and 2nd bedroom on main floor, with 2-3 bedrooms upstairs that can be closed off until needed. I'd love to have the money and space to have the larger home because we have a lot of kids, and I'd like having more room to host more of them at a time. But practically speaking, our ranch is less expensive, easy to clean, and better for us 95% of the time.

I had always slept on mattresses on box springs. Overseas, however, we were introduced to platform beds. Our son's bed is a platform with a densely made foam mattress on top, and it is easily the most comfortable bed in the house.

S/O because it isn't exactly a curfew issue, but when all my family is together and then disperses, I still ask even my adult married kids to shoot me a text when they get home (not local--a very long day trip). If they forget, I don't freak out or call them or anything; I just like knowing they made it home okay. And I tell my mom when we arrive home as well, because it is a many-hours trip and I know she will be concerned until she knows we are home. (And I am a grandmother.) It isn't a control issue; it's because I care about how she feels. I also tell my kids at home when to expect me or if we are going to be later than expected. And they are supposed to do the same. I've explained to our younger ones that it is just common courtesy to the people you live with, as dh and I let each other know general timeframes as well.