I'm back on the low carb wagon this week. After losing 12 pounds and feeling great this fall, I faltered over the holidays and am just now getting serious again. Looking back at my failure, I think one of the main causes was that I often want something to eat NOW and high-carb foods are by far the most convenient. I've decided that I need to have good, real food options ready and easily available so I will choose to grab them as opposed to the crackers or peanut butter toast. So with that in mind, I've committed to planning out good options. For instance, on Sunday night I cooked up a pound of hamburger with onions, garlic, red peppers,diced tomatoes,and some curry paste. It's really delicious. I put it in four containers to serve as lunches. On my way out the door in the morning I can easily grab it and toss in a piece of fruit (I still eat a couple of pieces of fruit a day), a cheese stick, and an avocado and I have my lunch and snacks for the workday. Healthier than a Lean Cuisine and just as easy. Tonight I'm going to make a pot of sausage/kale soup and do the same thing for the weekend. I've also found that buying a rotisserie chicken gives me something to pick at when I want a snack and is good for meals, especially when the rest of the family is having pasta or sandwiches.

Finished This Week As Husbands Go by Susan Isaacs (audio) - A cute cozy mystery; nothing more really to say about it. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - I think this one has been discussed in past weeks, so I won't go into plot, but it was a fun romantic comedy. I liked the construct that let you hear both sides of the story. In Progress The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (Audio) Wheat Belly by William Davis (I'm giving up the wheat effective today!) Spider Web for Two by Elizabeth Enright (Read Aloud) Finished this Year: 24. As Husbands Go by Susan Isaacs (audio) 23. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell 22. UnWholly by Neal Shusterman 21. Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright (Read Aloud) 20. Heartburn by Nora Ephron (Food book challenge) 19. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 18. A Tale of Two Cities (Audio; Dickens challenge) 17. Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick 16. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion 15. Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker 14. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 13. Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim 12. The Old Man and the Sea (Audio) 11. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Audio) 10. Forgotten Bookmarks by Michael Popek 9. An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff 8. Breaking Night by Liz Murray 7. The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright (Read aloud) 6. The Autobiography of an Execution by David Dow 5. A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews (Canada) 4. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (Read aloud) 3. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (Read aloud) 2. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill (Canada) 1. A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison

I've got one of these on right now: http://www.target.co...erm=merona cami Good coverage with adjustable straps so they're not always slipping. Wash up well. Cheap. Lots of colors available.

I didn't vote because my answer is "it depends." For a shower I would definitely give board books UNLESS I was giving a classic like Make Way for Ducklings that I know the child will grow into. Then it would be a hardcover. For gifts I give to my family (assume you mean my own children), I generally opt for softcover for DD8, who reads chapter books, unless I am giving her a keepsake classic (e.g. Anne of Green Gables). For DS2, I give hardcover picture books, though there are fewer for him as we have a pretty good library of picture books already. For gifts to children outside my family, the same rules apply based on suitability of the books to the age of the recipient.

I posted earlier about the fact that my mom lives with us, and thought I would add here that I also grew up in a multigenerational home. My mom was widowed when I was young (4), and coincidentally my grandfather died about the same time. So my mom bought a new house and my grandmother moved in with us. I loved growing up with my grandmother in the house. She and I were so much alike, and I always had the sense that she understood me at a completely different level than anyone else. She applied a level of wisdom to the parenting process - though she didn't overtly interfere with my mother's role; maybe guided it behind the scenes. I see a lot of the same thing happening between my mom and my kids, especially my daughter. They are so sweet together that I sometimes catch my breath when I see them working on something together. DD is more compassionate towards my mother than I am oftentimes (I'm ashamed to say). A pp mentioned modeling caring for elderly parents and IMO this is absolutely, 100% true. This subject comes up here from time to time, and I always get a chuckle over the people who say that they couldn't possibly live with their parents but they fully expect that they will live with their grown children someday. Oh, yeah? And what makes you think they'll have you? What did you teach your kids about caring for aging parents? Do you think you'll be so fascinating, wealthy, active, and (please, God, fingers crossed) continent that they'll be begging you to move in with them?

Your itinerary looks really good. How old is/are your kids? There are a bunch of storytelling benches around the City that are truly fantastic. The program is called Once Upon a Nation, and my DD went crazy for it. The storytellers are very interesting and engaging, and some of the bench locations brought us off the beaten path to neat spots we would have missed otherwise. Oh, but re-reading your post and seeing you're going this week, I bet they aren't functioning this time of year. Not sure how to fit Reading Terminal Market in geographically speaking, but it's worth making the trip. Our hotel (the Marriott) was right across the street so we had breakfast there every day. I think it's a great choice for people with food allergies/sensitivities, since everyone can choose their own restaurant. In the Amish Country, I'd skip Landis Valley Museum unless you really, really have your heart set on it. I thought it was small and not that great. I much prefer just driving around and taking in the beautiful landscape. Depending on the day of the week, it would be good to go to a farmers market -- in downtown Lancaster or Roots in Manheim, for example. Also President Buchanan's home, Wheatland, is nearby and open for tours. For hotels, we typically stay at the Bird In Hand Family Inn (we go every year; I'm Amish Country-obsessed). We like the location right on Route 340 with all the buggies going by. They have a free bus tour for guests - sounds cheesy but it's actually pretty good. Takes you to a couple of Amish homes/shops selling quilts and such. But there are also lots of the standard chains all along Route 30 - Holiday Inn Express and the like. For meals in Amish Country, we like Dienners on Route 30 and the Family Cupboard on 340 for Pennsylvania Dutch fare. I will let you in on the best kept secret in the Amish Country - the ice cream at Lapp Valley Farm. Yes, there's a booth at Kitchen Kettle Village. Resist it and take the ride to the farm. It's located on Menzer Road in the most beautiful farmland around. It's run by a Mennonite family who makes the world's best homemade ice cream. Rich, creamy, simple, served on freshly-made waffle cones. So good. They do a milking demonstration in their barn in the afternoon (I want to say at 3:30 or so?) but you're always welcome to walk around the farm and visit their calves, bulldog, cats, horses, and even a peacock. Lots of Amish go there, and I've seen buggies pull up to the drive-through to pick up milk and cheese. Another very authentic experience is Kauffman's market on Route 340. It's just a grocery store, but there are bulk items and very fresh produce and meat. You'll come across lots of Amish people buying groceries. Some mornings there's a woman out front who makes fresh doughnuts. Heaven. Not authentic, but still fun, is a buggy ride. We usually do the one at the Kitchen Kettle Village. It's not really a buggy - more of a wagon, but it looks more comfy to me than the real buggies. Gives you time to take in the view at a leisurely place. They stop at a farm where the kids come out and sell you homemade baked goods. Best whoopie pies ever. Yes, I eat my way through Amish Country. Finally (and I promise to stop after this), on my last day in Amish Country, I love to just ride around and stop at houses that are selling produce out front. Much of it is on the honor system. One house will have sun-warmed tomatoes, while another will have a giant crate of watermelons or cantaloupes as big as my head, picked fresh from the field. Sooooo goooood. Have fun!

We do it, and it works but it isn't perfect. My mom lives with us. In no particular order here are some thoughts on the positives and negatives of our situation. Many of these comments are specific to our personalities/situation, so not sure how helpful they will be to others. What works: Separate space - We have a large house (3800 SF) that was purchased specifically for intergenerational living. There are two living rooms on either end of the house, so we each have privacy. Our kids' toys aren't strewn all over Mom's living space making her crazy. Mom isn't rolling her eyes whenever DH turns on Star Wars for the umpteenth time. There are also two master suites. Mom's bedroom is on the 2nd floor with en suite bathroom. Our bedroom/bathroom is on the third floor. We share a kitchen, and that works out fine. Division of Labor - I'm really lucky in that I work outside the home. Mom starts dinner every night which is a huge help for me and allows me to enjoy more time with the kids each night. Mom also minds DD after school in the afternoons - a cost savings, convenience, and load off my mind. She also minded DS when he was an infant, but had to stop when she became ill and he got to be too much for her. Intergenerational Time - I love that DD and DS are so close to my mother. They all really adore each other, and it is really sweet. Frank Understanding of Money Issues - We sold our previous separate homes and purchased our current home together in DH's and my name with the understanding that this is my inheritance. DH and I pay for all of the bills associated with the house; she is welcome to purchase things as she wishes (e.g., she recently replaced the fridge because she wanted in-the-door ice and water) but she isn't asked to contribute otherwise. What Doesn't Work Personal Space - I am never, ever alone in the house. My mom is retired and an introvert. She doesn't belong to any clubs or get out much besides when I take her someplace. Very occasionally she'll go out with her sisters, but this is rare. Mostly, I am OK with this, but sometimes I just yearn for a quiet hour in the house or the ability to clean my kitchen without my mother suggesting I go about it some other way. DH/Mom Interaction - DH is awesome to put up with this situation. He really is. My mother isn't the easiest person in the world to live with. She is very opinionated and often critical. He doesn't rise to the bait, even though I can tell he is often irritated. My/DH Relationship - I love my mom (despite all of the grousing above). I actively seek out her company and opinions. I think if she weren't so easily accessible (again, ALWAYS here), I would transfer some of my need for adult companionship to my husband which would be better for our relationship.

As luck would have it, many of these LC suggestions are also well sized for sharing, especially Cosmic Rays, she shwarma platter, and Flame Tree Barbecue. And another vote for the turkey legs from the carts in the parks (both LC and huge).

I've had this recipe for roasted brussels sprouts with avocado and pecans on my to-try list since I received my last issue of Food & Wine magazine. Looks so delicious.

I'm new to the thread this year, and was really worried that I wouldn't make a book a week; however, now that I'm doing the challenge, I don't feel any pressure. I do count read-alouds and audio books, and most of the books I read are about 300-400 pages. Last year I lurked all the time to pluck ideas for new books to read. This year I've read several of the books suggested by others and have been exposed to lots of new books/authors/topics that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own. I like that the thread kind of makes me mindful of a goal to prioritize reading. Reading is something that I enjoy very much but can slip during busy times, and the "accountability" of the thread keeps reading on my radar.

We haven't been to the newly-reopened Tea Party Museum because it's so spendy and I haven't heard great things. But I want to chime in to agree with others that the Duck Tours are a ton of fun, so if you have limited time/money, then I would choose the Duck Tour over the Tea Party Museum. As much as we enjoy the Science Museum (and we are members and go all the time), I'd recommend that you stick to history if you only have two days here. And I may have to dodge some flying tomatoes here, but for cannolis in the North End, I greatly prefer The Modern to Mike's. It's right across the street from Mike's -- you'll know it from the long line of locals standing on the sidewalk waiting to get in. I used to work in the North End and all the old ladies I encountered swore by the Modern and they were absolutely right. Much better. If you're looking for lunch in the North End, the original Pizzeria Regina is an institution and lots of fun. Very small but great pizza. If you're looking for super cheap eats, there's also Galleria Umberto on Hanover Street. They have a very limited menu of pizza, calzones, arancini and they only stay open until the food runs out. This is another one with a line of locals out the door. If the weather is fair, grab something to go and head to the Rose Kennedy Greenway for a nice picnic.

Since I live in the Boston area, I can't give you an honest opinion of how long it would take to truly see and enjoy the city. I can comment on Plimoth Plantation since we visited both Plimoth Plantation and Jamestown last year. While I think it's a great museum and recently renovated (and significantly improved), I would skip it if you have Jamestown available to you. The movie and welcome center at PP are both very good. The Wampanoag village was great and actively tended by Wampanoag tribespeople, who are very welcoming and able to answer questions about both historic and modern tribal life. I thought the settlers' village was pretty good but not well explained. The costumed people stay in character and try to be more entertaining than informational, IMO. The Mayflower II is a short drive away and was interesting. It's worth a visit IF you have time and $$ in your budget. HOWEVER, we also visited Jamestown last year, and I thought they did a superior job with a lot of the same material and similar information. I thought the new visitors center was outstanding (we had visited prior to the renovation/expansion and considered it to be so-so). The exhibits in the Native American village were more hands-on and interactive, and the guides in the settlement were very helpful and informative. Since Jamestown is an easy option for you, I'd forego Plimoth Plantation in favor of something that's only available here in the Boston area, say Lexington and Concord or the JFK Presidential Library. At the Concord Museum you can see the actual lantern that hung in the Old North Church to signal Paul Revere and go to the North Bridge, scene of the Short Heard Round the World. Or you can take an MBTA water shuttle across the harbor to visit the USS Constitution. It's an inexpensive way to take a little harbor tour and see the city from the waterfront. Also, I highly recommend walking tours by Boston by Foot. The guides are volunteers with a true love of their subject matter, and they have a wealth of information. We get out and about a lot, and DD is a huge history buff, so we've probably visited many of the sites you're considering. If you have any other questions about the Boston area, feel free to ask.

I had to sit out last week because we got season 2 of Game of Thrones on DVD and DH and I devoured the whole season over the course of the week. Not a page was read, I'm embarrassed to say. Anyhow, with my GoT addiction out of my system, I got back on the reading wagon and finished a couple. Finished This Week UnWholly by Neal Shusterman - This sequel to Unwind follows the survivors of Happy Jack camp as they recover from their ordeal and ultimately try to set up a resistance. This installment of the story also introduces a new character, who is a Frankenstein monster of sorts, accumulated from the best "parts" of unwinds, which gives rise to lots of ethical questions. I enjoyed this; looking forward to the final installment of the trilogy, which I believe is due out this fall. Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright (Read Aloud) - The third of the Melendy Quartet. These books get longer as the series continues, but still hold DD's attention, even if mine is starting to wane. I think Enright has done an amazing job of having the main characters evolve and grow from one book to the next; they aren't just "the dramatic one," "the clumsy one," "the musical one," "the youngest one." She's given them real depth. DD has greatly enjoyed this series, so we'll be tackling the final book soon. In Progress As Husbands Go by Susan Isaacs (audio) Attachments by Rainbow Rowell Finished this Year: 22. UnWholly by Neal Shusterman 21. Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright (Read Aloud) 20. Heartburn by Nora Ephron (Food book challenge) 19. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 18. A Tale of Two Cities (Audio; Dickens challenge) 17. Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick 16. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion 15. Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker 14. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 13. Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim 12. The Old Man and the Sea (Audio) 11. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Audio) 10. Forgotten Bookmarks by Michael Popek 9. An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff 8. Breaking Night by Liz Murray 7. The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright (Read aloud) 6. The Autobiography of an Execution by David Dow 5. A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews (Canada) 4. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (Read aloud) 3. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (Read aloud) 2. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill (Canada) 1. A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison

We had a flood and had to re-do our basement. Not sure of the size of the space, but our scope was a bit different, as we had to install a French drain and sump pump and remove all the nasty, soaked drywall. We also added a half bath. We did laminate flooring (pergo-like) and beadboard in the poolroom/bar. We replaced four windows. We added wiring for two wall-mounted TV's and added a couple of closets with shelving. I think our cost was about $30K and it looks beautiful.

Well, I'm a lot like you by nature (saver and scrimper). I had to make the conscious decision that our relationship was worth more than the extra $50 in the bank each month. I didn't like myself for feeling like "AHA!" every time I found a wasteful debit on our account or the way that I would harp on him about a $20 purchase when he's a contributing adult in our family and we could afford the $20, even if I could think of 100 more pleasant (to ME) ways to spend the money. I also know my DH now is able to enjoy his purchases since he doesn't have to worry that Sherlock Holmes is sneaking up behind him to sniff out every frivolous nickel spent. Capping the expenditures to a monthly budget allows me to turn a blind eye and just let it go, and it makes the spending less wasted because DH is getting more pleasure out of it. We are much happier and it is still cheaper than therapy (for either or both of us) or divorce.

Well, that's the thing. Once you come up with an amount he can "blow" on gas station food, etc. you can't say anything about it as long as he stays within that guideline. My DH has some really stupid (IMHO) tastes - like "collectible" bobbleheads and Star Wars figures. But if they come out of his money, I'm not allowed to comment on whether I think they're wasteful, just as he's not allowed to comment on some of my purchases that he may not agree with but come out of my budget. You're not really agreeing to what should be spent on gas station treats. You're agreeing to how much is to be spent wholly at his own discretion, whether you consider the purchase to be worthwhile or not. As someone who has fought this battle for a long time, I can say that you will be much happier once you accept that $50 or so each month is going to be wasted instead of having your blood pressure go up a notch every time you see a chips wrapper on the floor of the car or (in my case) a UPS package on the doorstep with an Ebay label for a return address.

Honestly, this sounds more like a husband problem than a kid problem. With respect to your drive-through example, I'd suggest replacing the Happy Meals with another, less expensive, but equally rare treat. For instance, say it costs $20 for your family to go through the McD's drive through. However, kids like individual serving size bags of Fritos/Doritos/Oreos, whatever. Have those in advance from the grocery store specifically and only for use on these special occasions. At $1 a piece, these are still more than I'd include in our regular grocery budget, but I think it's a more reasonable treat and will tide them over until you can get home and make a meal.

Yes, I agree with the suggestion of a dress, especially with Easter coming up. Even though I excused myself to another room to nurse during family get-togethers, it was very cumbersome/inconvenient to hoist up a dress to feed the baby.

My suggestion would be to forgo the nursing wardrobe entirely and just buy a bunch of nursing tanks to wear under regular shirts. They sell them at Target very reasonably. I always just pulled my shirt up; the drape of the shirt covered my breast, and the tank made sure that my (wiggly) belly was well covered. I considered myself a very modest nurser, and this worked great for me.

We have one person in the nursery, and occasionally one or two of the Confirmands help out. Our nursery attendees are mostly toddlers, and attendance is usually about 4-5 kids per week. Infants generally go into the "big church" with their parents. The only issue with having one adult in our nursery is the occasional child who is toilet training. The nursery is in a basement annex without a bathroom. To take a child to the restroom requires the adult to bring all of the kids to the restroom, involving a trek upstairs. Not fun.

And for the tea party, how about having the girls decorate straw hats? Here's a link to $1 hats at dollar tree. You could then buy ribbon, silk flowers etc. The girls could decorate them and then wear them as they have their tea. Would also serve as the favor, so for just a few dollars per guest you'd have the activity and the favors covered. http://www.dollartree.com/Summer-Straw-Hats/p309743/index.pro

Here's a link to a tutorial on making marshmallows into lego minifigure pops. It could be a cute favor or treat at the party. http://quick-dish.tablespoon.com/2012/04/17/lego-marshmallow-pops/

I think you also need to consider taxes in the equation. I also think geography plays a big role in determining price, which explains how the rates on this thread run the gamut from $20/day to $100/day. Here in the Boston area, the going rate starts at about $250/week for a daycare center or home daycare setting.

DD is 8 and still loves toys - specifically all things Lalaloopsie, especially the small ones. They get played with far more than the big ones. I'll second Headbands for a game and add Scrambled States of America as another game suggestion. She also loved (and I mean LOVED) completing the Dr. Seuss Book About Me. For crafts, she really enjoys making friendship bracelets.

Finished: Heartburn by Nora Ephron - How is it that I've never read anything by her before? So funny, witty, sarcastic. Just my style. I'll be enjoying more of her books in the future for sure. Read this for the food challenge; the narrator/protagonist is a cookbook author, and there are many recipes scattered throughout the book. A really fun book. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Wow! Loved it! This is a YA novel, recommended by our town librarian. It's the story of two teen-aged cancer patients on a quest to meet the author of their favorite novel to find out how the story is resolved. The book raises so many questions on mortality, leaving a mark on the world, and the nature of love. I think the author did a great job of treating childhood cancer with dignity, not pushing the obvious buttons to evoke pity or tears. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Audio) - After grousing about this one on here for a couple of weeks, I have to retract all my complaints. The great, hair-raising ending made up for the very slow start. In Progress: Like a PP I have Why We Get Fat in my pile, and I'm still working on UnWholly by Neal Shusterman. Finished this Year: 20. Heartburn by Nora Ephron (Food book challenge) 19. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 18. A Tale of Two Cities (Audio; Dickens challenge) 17. Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick 16. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion 15. Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker 14. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 13. Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim 12. The Old Man and the Sea (Audio) 11. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Audio) 10. Forgotten Bookmarks by Michael Popek 9. An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff 8. Breaking Night by Liz Murray 7. The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright (Read aloud) 6. The Autobiography of an Execution by David Dow 5. A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews (Canada) 4. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (Read aloud) 3. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright (Read aloud) 2. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill (Canada) 1. A Walk Across the Sun by Corban Addison