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There are 4 of us. I usually buy about a 2lb roast. The cost is a determining factor. I usually set an amount I am willing to spend, if the roast is on sale then I get a little bigger one and if not, it will be a little smaller depending on the cost per pound. If we are having a smaller roast then I up the veggies I cook with it, the same is true of the beef stew.

chicken wings, I cook mine ahead of time and season then the day of just pop them into a crockpot.

When making tacos, I add black beans and corn to my ground beef. One pound of ground beef can be stretched to 2 or 3 meals this way. I serve tacos with refried beans. Often for lunch I feed the children "magic pockets" its refried beans, cheese and a little of the taco meat. Its the childrens' favorite meal. When I make a roast, I pull out half of the roast and most of the broth and turn that into beef stew. We usually get 4 meals out of a roast this way. Two of roast and veggies and two of stew. When I make a pork roast I do the same thing but the left over pork becomes pulled pork for sandwiches. I use diced ham to season scrambled eggs. If I have just a little bit of any meat left I freeze it in baggies and pull it out for potato bar night.

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Can you let them out of your yard then call Animal control about dogs running free?

Appetizer bar for Christmas Eve with chicken wings, meatballs, pigs in the blanket, veggie tray, cheese tray, pinwheels, ham and cream cheese roll ups and some yummy dessert. Christmas day is a big breakfast with breakfast casserole, muffins and fruit.

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Not a board game but Set is our favorite card game.

I only buy things from them that I know I will not return, otherwise I shop elsewhere. Their return policy is so stinky!

I like to do family gift baskets. On year I gave games in a basket, another movies and treats, another cookie mixes and decorations. I shop the clearance aisles all year and what I find is what I base the basket on (except the food baskets). I also pick up containers on clearance. I can make nice baskets that are easy and very inexpensive.

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I have donated a car to PBS and to the kidney foundation. Both made it easy.

Miss Fishers Murder mysteries Leverage White Collar Firefly Warehouse 13 The Closer I'm not sure which of these are on Netflix right now but all are series that I loved.

:grouphug: :grouphug: If you are asking the question then you know the answer in your heart.

I would not. The chances of reconciliation are slim to none, unless your sister is willing to also work at it. Why ruin a perfectly lovely holiday?

Fiestaware!

:hurray: :hurray: So true!

Good Luck!

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To keep us on time we pack everything the night before. Clothes are laid out and shoes always by the door. My other secret to success is my magic van. The magic van always has disposable plates, cups and silverware, a Rubbermaid container of snacks and juice boxes, seasonally appropriate change of clothes for each child as well as a set of inexpensive shoes, hair brush, nail clippers, hair ties, and when we have foster babies there are clean sippy cups, extra wipes and diapers. If a kid spills something on the way out the door, they can change in the van while the other kids are getting strapped into car seats. The "I need a drink or snack because without it I will die" is covered. Its in the van, get in your car seat and you can have it. If we use anything out of the van, then it is replaces as soon as we get home. Replacing our supplies is the first priority when we return from anywhere.