[Help me figure out why this bothers me...]

The nail comment was weird. But, to me, it sounds like she is trying to establish a relationship or connection with you. Perhaps she’s anticipating a future where you might be in-laws and she’s trying to get ahead of the game and communicate with you. 

Idk. I can see myself being anxious to be liked and maybe over-sharing.

Or she could just be petty and annoying. *shrug*

[If you have a very geeky (I mean this in the nicest way) 14 year old, what do they want for Christmas?]

Enamel fandom pins 

manga 

Official video game art book

sticker paper (diy)

video game 

fancy dice 

[I want my own bed 😢]

I’ve always been a light sleeper, so DH has known to stay on his side of the bed since the beginning. But last year we upgraded to a king from a queen, and it’s been amazing. So much room!  If you’ve not done that yet, maybe it’s an alternative to separate beds (which I could get behind, 100%). Sleep is important. 

[We told him he needed a sleep study . . .]

@gardenmom5 - to get back on topic — your SIL will probably feel so much better (even if he never realized he felt poorly before)! DH can really tell a difference when he doesn’t use his machine now. 

[We told him he needed a sleep study . . .]

56 minutes ago, Spryte said:

And now I have to ask — what does he do that requires primitive camping? (You said need, so I’m curious.) I love primitive camping, but it’s not a need these days. 

Ha, I suppose “need” is a strong word. He’s a campus minister, and sometimes he takes a group of college students camping. There is a bath house, but no electricity. 🙂 (We also tend to lose power during hurricane season, so I suppose that’s also a reason to have some sort of battery option. Research tells us that some people use marine batteries to power cpaps while camping, but we’re too worried it would damage the $$machine$$.)

[We told him he needed a sleep study . . .]

2 hours ago, Ottakee said:

I have a Cpap as well.  Don’t love it but use it nightly.  It is also supposed to protect your heart and since I have had heart surgery, that is a motivator for me.

Not to derail the thread, but do you take yours camping? DH has a cpap, and has had times of needing to primitive camp but needing his machine…

[Hit me with your favorite taco meat recipe]

On 11/14/2023 at 9:34 AM, Scarlett said:

1 cup of lentils

1 cup of brown rice

2 packages of taco seasoning

3 1/2 to 4 cups of water

Cook in crock pot for 4-6 hours 

Serve as taco meat.

 

Cook on low? High? 
We cook for a large group of college students occasionally and this sounds promising!

[Have a favorite junky, fluffy, make-ahead fruit "salad" to take to a carry in?]

Thanks for this thread! I grew up eating these salads at church potlucks, and I love them…but I never, ever make them. Or eat them anywhere, anymore. I’m totally taking a fluffy salad to my in-laws for Thanksgiving this year!

[Have a favorite junky, fluffy, make-ahead fruit "salad" to take to a carry in?]

We love the mandarin orange salad (cottage cheese, whipped cream).

https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/easy-mandarin-orange-jello-salad/#recipe

[Hit me with your favorite taco meat recipe]

We made these baked chicken tacos recently. (I think someone here recommended them.)

 https://damndelicious.net/2023/04/28/crispy-baked-chicken-tacos/

The actual tortilla/shell part didn’t turn out like I’d hoped, but the meat was *very* good. I’ll definitely be making it again. 

[What makes a good macaroni and cheese? also, please share a recipe if you have one]

Bah, mac and cheese is one of those things I can’t perfect. My mom made great stovetop m&c — no roux, just butter, milk, cheese.  I can’t seem to recreate it.

For potlucks, I’ve often made Paula Deen’s crockpot version, double it and minus the egg. It’s always been favorably received. 

[Shopping cart behavior]

That’s bizarre. I’d probably struggle not to be a witch about it. 

[You know that meme about how your mom never forgets people that hurt you?]

I understand. An adult man recently made my 15 yr old dd cry, at an event that should’ve been fun/uplifting, and I’ve never wanted to rip a person apart more in my whole life.  (We’ll have to be satisfied with some letter writing, but man... He’s lucky we’re civilized.)

[Christmas gift giving etiquette. Am I the only one?]

I’ve seen that, in children that are in a gift-opening frenzy. Just one after another, with little reaction or gratitude between. (I hate that.) 

I’ve never encountered that from an adult. 
 

ETA: on second thought…my DH might be guilty of lack-of-response. He doesn’t always know how to respond and, while he’s grateful, he seems apathetic when opening presents. He’s just awkward. 

[s/o When did Matching Chiristmas Pajamas Become a Thing?]

2 hours ago, Kassia said:

We're also a family that doesn't do pjs.  Sweats, leggings, t-shirts, whatever but no pjs.  I did put the kids in pjs when they were little but not since then.  

Same. We didn’t really do pjs when I was a kid either. Oversized tshirts for me, mostly. 

If you get new pjs every year, it seems like everyone would have soooo many pairs of pjs in the closet. When do you wear them all? My SIL’s family does this (with a large extended family) and it seems fun for growing, small children, but a waste for adults. 

[oh no! DD just ate 3 week old chili!!!!]

Oh man, old leftovers skeeve me out. I’m shuddering, just thinking about it. 🤢

[American Girl Doll - SNL video]

This skit is 6 months old, but I just saw it this morning and it made me lol.  It’s a riff off the Barbie movie, but with AG dolls. 
 

 

[For Photobooks - alternatives to Shutterfly]

I’ve used Shutterfly mostly, but also snapfish. 

[What to do with this pot?]

That’s adorable. We’d find all manner of things to stick in it. 

[How are you going with Christmas shopping?]

I’m usually finished by now! But I’m having a hard time this year. October was crazy busy; my dad had a major heart attack a few weeks ago and I’ve been battling upper respiratory crud. I just can’t find the motivation. 

I’ve finished the presents for my nieces. I usually do photo calendars for all the adults in the extended family but ugh. I don’t want to make them. Don’t even get me started on my kids — we’ve hemorrhaged $$ recently, so I’m trying to keep the spending under control.

[Gen X'ers, did you have one of these when you were young?]

One of my friends had it, and I thought it was the neatest thing ever. 

[Taking first sick day of the year]

I had to go in recently for a prescription steroid and cough med for my persistent cough. I tested negative for flu and Covid. The nurse practitioner said she’s seeing a lot of upper respiratory stuff going around right now. 

[I am fuming.]

That other mom is waaaay overreacting. And (imo) if she keeps reacting like this, she’s in for a world of trouble with her daughter. This path leads to secrets and rebellion and lies. 

15 and having a school crush? Sheesh, that’s the most age-appropriate thing ever. 

[🎃💀👻Happy Halloween (almost)]

1 hour ago, Indigo Blue said:

We did go to our local campground/park this weekend and hung out with a bunch of people on their camp site. Each person had thoroughly decorated their camp site….music, lights, decorations….

Campgrounds can be pretty fun for holidays. We did Halloween with my parents at one a few years ago. Hayride, costume parades, crafts — it was fun. (Obviously, some campgrounds do absolutely nothing…)

My kids are teens, so we hosted our annual Halloween party/bonfire for all their friends on Saturday. And on Halloween, we’ll be hosting pizza and cider before taking a group out to walk around a neighborhood. (But as soon as that’s over, I make the shift to Christmas!!)

[Do you avoid having lingering cooking smells in the kitchen?]

Not especially. However, there are certain foods that we cook outside because they’re greasy, and I don’t want to bother with the cleanup. Sausage patties are one that I ask DH to cook on his outdoor flattop.