BTDT, except with a giant box of laundry powder. I have a laundry closet, so I had to climb on top of the washer to reach the mess around the side/back. (Luckily powder is easily sucked up in a vacuum tube!)

We might be on to something here. I'm thinking a series of reclaimed wood signs to hang in the bathroom... (we could add a third, because things look better in threes: Dude, Wipe the Seat).

My friend/acquaintance, the one who raved about this book, talks like that. Every time I see her: "HEY, girrrl! How's my sweet friend doing?" Uh-oh, maybe it's contagious. Subliminal messages within the text. Quill - were you affected at all?!?! ?

Interesting, that must be the "It" book right now. I have a FB friend who has been raving about the book and author for weeks. I haven't bothered to look into it because I don't read self-help books. Too much enjoyable fiction, too little time.

I don't think it's *real* chalk paint. It's Rustoleum's Chalky Finish paint (which may be oil based). But it has that smooth, matte finish like chalk paint (covered really nicely).

I love those cold gummy worms in ice cream, lol. But I'm not sure about baked in a cookie.... (I love the shared history/private jokes that parents share with their kids! I still have moments like that with my mom!)

It's Benjamin Moore Caribbean Teal. Depending on the light, it'll look more green or blue or gray. Thanks! The stool was super easy. The gray chalk paint was sprayed on. The paper I simply cut to size (it came on a roll) and glued (Modge Podge) down. Cover with more Modge Podge. Done. This is the paper I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MEVAL3E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (I really liked the patterns on it -- looks more involved than it was!)

One more week and I should be finished! Fun tip: pool noodles make good sawhorses...

The "update" thread inspired me to post an update to this. Cabinets are almost done. We went with antique brass hardware so we could reuse our old brass hinges. (I was hesitant about that, but it looks good.) Also, I recently bought the Bekvam stool from IKEA and painted it turquoise-- but that clashed terribly with the new cabinet color. So I experimented a bit with chalk paint and decoupage. ?

We know one neighbor by name only. My kids and I joke that he's CIA or something because he keeps such odd hours and is away for days at a time, every week. Our other neighbor is an older couple. The man is in the same profession as DH, so they chat often. He is friendly and mowed our grass when DH was sick for months. The wife I know by name/sight but she's not talkative like her DH. They used to have kids/grandkids living with them (4 years) and my kids were very close with them (daily playmates). They just moved out to their own place, though, and my youngest is so sad about it.

Well...technically...um, isn't there an exception for "the greater good" and all that? ?

I think a rescue is a good call. I bet those neighbors wouldn't even notice if the dog just disappeared...

I'm not knocking the "traditionally girly" sets. We own a *lot* of them (all the pets and Elves sets, market/smoothie/beach house/Tangled/etc). We're fans. But I know others lament the lack of...diversity (?) in the Friends occupation/activities. So I was sharing.

Bumping this older thread... I know a lot of people don't like the Lego Friends sets, but I recently saw this new set and was pleased that it was not "girly." Oh sure, it's still "cute" but these girls aren't baking/shopping/pet sitting...they're RACING! Yay! https://shop.lego.com/en-US/The-Big-Race-Day-41352 (Next step: Lego Friends astronauts?) ?

So for science....it would depend on just how apocalyptic of an attack we're talking. If we're talking major societal collapse, then I think books on plants (edible, medicinal), basic biology/anatomy and first aid, the history of science... those would be my choices. Maybe a book on water purification. ? If we're talking temporary displacement, then any old science text would do. ?

My aunt sold some health shake/bar via a MLM. When my DH was in the hospital after being diagnosed with cancer, she visited and brought a gift bag...full of that brand meal replacement bars. Because they "replenish and heal on a cellular level." And, you know, if we liked them she could give us a discount on an order...and if I needed $ for medical bills, I could sign up and sell under her! Aw heck no... she got a quick "unfollow" on FB.

LOL, I love the phrase "FB jail." Now I have a name for a practice I often employ...

I wonder if you can pass on specific boxes. I mean, I'm sure most of the Hive already has an impressive book collection. I certainly don't need another Anne of GG or The Hobbit. (Um...unless they're especially lovely hardcover editions with great illustrations...)

But half the fun of giving kids books is shopping for the books! ?

https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/487962-10-books-in-an-underground-bunker/

You might enjoy some of Hunter's old threads. ? She posted many thought experiment threads like this:

Poor little kitty! So lucky he didn't get hurt in there & that he was rescued by kitty lovers! When I was in high school, a (fully grown) feline hitched a ride to a family reunion with an elderly relative (in the trunk, IIRC). Said relative didn't want cat to ride the 4 hours back with them (can't remember if it was even theirs...!), so we took it home with us. Cats are weird. ?

We went around that December date last year (the 13th-15th), and it wasn't crowded. It wasn't empty, like at other times of the year, though. The water park felt fine; the only time I felt crowded was when it snowed in the lobby at night. But definitely not packed. BTW, we love the GWL. We go every year.

35 pages!!!!! There's NO WAY mine could sit through that for history -- and they're 10 and 12! We had tears today over pre-algebra. I'm seriously reconsidering my choice, though it's an online course and already paid for. Eeesh.

Some of the LVT has "micro-beveled" edges. This means the planks sit tight up against each other. We recently installed a wood-look vinyl plank in our kitchen, and there is very little space between pieces. They're almost flat and flush.