Slightly disagreeing here. There are grandparents who are okay with babysitting for no pay. DH and I are fortunate to be in a financial position where we don't need the money. Sometimes that bothers our dc so we compromise on taking the grands somewhere when we're babysitting and letting the dc pay for the outing. It does get more complicated though when a grandparent needs the money, especially when they won't take the pay. Personally, I think it's totally acceptable for a grandparent to accept pay for babysitting if that's either the agreement or the need.

Yes, this. I wasn't sure how to explain this, but you did it well. I'm a grandmother who helps with childcare for my grandchildren while DIL goes to college classes. We have a weekly routine of when I have the grands. I'm the grandma who is in town and not working except for tutorial classes and subbing. When the kids are out of school for breaks, their other grandma usually has them for part of the time, and I have them for the other. DIL does a wonderful of asking in advance and getting things on the calendar. Personally, I think asking in advance and having a set schedule/routine is what makes our situation work so well Best wishes as you find what works for you and yours!

Here's a link for a recipe that I've used in the past: http://savingdinner.com/recipes/soup-good-food/ When I make soup, I usually just use up whatever is leftover in the fridge. Sometimes I add beans or lentils. When I'm making a veggie soup, it's usually tomato based and uses veggie or chicken broth with whatever veggies I have on hand. HTH.

Instead of taking dd to mom or mil could they come to your house instead? This way ds could also see and spend time with them too. It wouldn't be as distraction free, but you'd not have the travel time or an upset ds who wants to stay at grandma's house. Grandma would also get to see both of the grands and maybe even spend a little time visiting with you. You could maybe even have set days that each grandma comes to the house. Best wishes to you!

We've had several large canvases done at Walgreen's and were happy with them.

I stock up on these too whenever they go on sale at the drugstore and use coupons when I can. We make elderberry syrup so I make sure to have elderberries on hand. The fall is when we also purchase a quarter of beef.

Some of our local Christian schools will let homeschool students play sports for only the cost of the sport. This pretty much only happens at the smaller schools who need the players.

We have only a water dispenser on the door and really like that feature. The kids and now grandkids can easily help themselves to water with no buttons to play with and no mess. It makes them feel so independent.

This is my experience with our Aldi's as well. I've actually begun preferring their produce over Publix which is directly across from it, especially the bagged greens and avocados. I do have to say that I'm picky when buying Aldi's strawberries which tend to spoil quickly. I think that's probably a refrigeration issue as others have said. The new Aldi's in our area has almost of the produce refrigerated and the frozen items in upright freezers.

You can request a paper copy of the FASFA. Maybe that version would limit access to only the financial aid offices. Best wishes as you find a solution.

Knee pads to help with ripping out carpet and clearing the sub floor underneath. You can get inexpensive ones at Home Depot and Lowes. Box cutters can be handy to have as well.

Another satisfied Wayfair customer. Great customer service and happy with everything we've ordered.

I usually offer coffee if they are here early in the morning. I always have a supply of disposable cups on hand for this. That way they can have their coffee and start on their work at the same time. After that I usually eave out a bowl of fruit with some packages of peanut butter crackers and water bottles.

Changed my mind

As others have said, call every day soon after opening. The other thing I have done is go in person to the office when first ask for an earlier appointment and to be put on the cancellation list. I think it helps when you actually go in at least once vs just using the telephone. Best wishes as you work through this!

I don't have an answer , but I will say that meningitis was prevalent in our area at least 17 years ago. Our newborn daughter had a fever and was admitted to the hospital and had a spinal tap to rule out meningitis when spiking a fever. Ds also had to have the vaccine before attending sleep away camp roughly 15 years ago. My first exposure to meningitis was in the early 90's when a local college student contracted the disease and had four limbs amputated, I was in college ( not the same ) at that time so it really had an impact on me.

Ds had no reaction to this vaccine. He has had reactions to several others.

Non-negotiable here as well although one child has reacted poorly to some vaccines. The risk of death and amputation are too great. It moves quickly.

So she wants the reservations that you spent time booking, but doesn't want you to be compensated for your work? Am I understanding that correctly? If so, she seems to be a petty person. I'd not cancel the reservations, but I'd also not respond to her messages over the next week. I'd probably send one final email to acknowledge her request to not cancel for a week, and then cancel if things aren't finished by then.

WOW! Amazing!

Part of "the talk" from my grandma including not washing my hair during "that time". Never did figure that one out!

The bolded is what I'd do. I'd not purchase a bed that she absolutely doesn't want. Learning to compromise within a budget is a great life skill. It's also good for us parents to listen and to learn to compromise with our teens when we can. It builds relationship.

Adding about the store: How long do they hold your money, and do they pay on time?

I do believe it's problematic. Many people have debated OEC vs YEC and will continue to do so. I have no desire to join that debate. What bothers me is that the debate itself has become a fundamental part of Christianity, and sometimes homeschooling in many circles , with the labeling of YEC folks as being ignorant and the OEC folks being unbelievers.

I also believe that Ken Ham is divisive and is dismissive of those who don't believe as he does. Although AIG's statement of faith says otherwise, it and Ken Ham leave me with the notion that I need to be a literal creationist in order to be saved. As for his materials, some I've liked and others not,