Costco, definitely. A good friend was a career Costco baker until he was diagnosed with cancer and got too sick to work. I've heard good things about Trader Joe's.

The computer fan. The doorbell just rang. Distant voices. The neighbor working in his yard. My breathing.

The Catholic high schools are somewhere around 12K USD. I don't know about secular schools.

Many prayers. Lord have mercy.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I'm so sorry you are going through this.

I agree with the poster who said that we have a new phone etiquette. I think it's a generational thing. Those, "Hey, it's M, call me back." messages are the annoyances to us. Our phones have already told us who it is, and we assume you need us to call you back. I'm young enough to be the OP's daughter, I think. I hate voicemail. It's a pain to listen to. And if I don't listen to it, my phone won't quit notifying me about it. I would SO much rather people call and then leave a text if they need to let me know ahead of time what they want. But I will call back a missed call from someone I know, every time. If I don't know the person, I don't return the call. Now, I don't necessarily mind voicemail if it gives me specific information that I need, but otherwise it's a nuisance. I'm going to have to call the person back anyway, so to me it's just a bother. In the event I accidentally pocket dial someone, I usually send a text saying, "Sorry, I just accidentally pocket-dialed you." So they know they don't need to call me back.

Caprese salad Watermelon/watermelon feta salad green salad fruit salad sauteed green beans corn on the cob and I'm also going to say Kettle brand chips. It's Fourth of July. We can have chips, right? :)

I'm pretty organized except for . . . Everything. :0)

I just leave the SSN spot blank. They never even ask.

They can be washed in the washer as long as you don't have the leather ones. Do that often, and also wash your feet with vinegar and put baking soda on the shoe soles overnight. Yes, they stink. There are no two ways about it. But I think they're worth it anyway. :)

Tamale pie

Oh eaglei, I don't even have words to express how sorry I am. I read your post and the tears came. May his sweet memory be eternal! O Lord, give rest to the soul of Your servant, where there is neither sickness not sorrow but life everlasting. Continuing to pray for you all, that God will be your support and comfort. Many, many (((hugs))).

That depends on the type of new ideas. If the ideas in question don't violate the traditional beliefs I hold as an Orthodox Christian, then as far as I'm concerned anything is up for discussion. I have friends from church who have definitely stretched and expanded my views with opinions I'd otherwise never have thought of. And that is ok. I might not always agree with them, but sometimes I do! And we all recognize the need to sometimes agree to disagree. But if it's a theological or moral argument that contradicts the Church, I will not be receptive. Example: I like the tradition of the wife taking the husband's last name. I think it helps create a nice cohesive family unit without much confusion for children. But I know a family where the wife wishes they had taken her name instead, since her father was wonderful and his wasn't even part if his life. That would be a nice gesture, imo. If it was me, I'd still be more inclined to take my husband's name anyway, but I don't mind if others choose differently.

I will say this: a different cooking style takes getting used to. It takes time. My family converted to Eastern Orthodoxy 14 years ago. EOs go basically vegan for about 50% of the year over 4 main fasting periods. The first fast that we did we were like, what on earth is there to eat?!? We basically survived on spaghetti with plain sauce and bean burritos and pb&j!! These days, it's MUCH more varied. And it's not nearly so stressful thinking of what to cook. So don't beat yourself up if it's hard at first. Or even if you hate it. Give yourself a chance to acclimate and adjust. Baby steps! :)

I'd also probably bake with it or make pancakes.

Aw, sweet. :) Happy birthday Marco! and you go, Mama!

If you'd like to try your hand at ethnic foods, there are a TON of options. We have a recipe for black beans that is to die for. I will post it when I have access to it again (I'm away from home today.) Sometimes for quick lunches I'll do an easy version: start an onion sauteeing in olive oil, open a couple cans of black beans and throw those in, then add garlic, lime, and whatever spice strikes my fancy that day. Let them cook on low for 15-20 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally. Serve with rice or tortillas. They turn out delicious. Pesto pasta, chile rellenos casserole, eggplant parmesan, cream style lasagna with veggies and cheese (no meat in the sauce). We do lots of soups in the winter. White bean & kale, white bean & carrot with caramelized onions and rosemary, spicy bean & corn, minestrone, French lentil, potato (saute onions and celery and garlic, add potatoes and water (just to cover) and cook until potatoes are tender. Add 2-3 cans evaporated milk and season with garlic salt/seasoned salt and pepper. We also add whatever veggies we have on hand when we add the potatoes.) African peanut, vegetarian chili. Roasted potatoes are delicious and super filling. Sometimes we serve them with sauces: tahini, Asian peanut, or even chili. Falafel patties (made from chickpeas) are also a favorite of mine. They're usually served with cucumber and tomato and onion with tzatziki (yogurt based garlic cucumber sauce) in pitas. Pastitsio and Moussaka (Greek casseroles) can both be made meatless and are delicious. Spanakopita or Tyropita could also be made in casserole form to cut down on work. Lentil dal is a favorite here. Red lentils, onion, garlic, cumin, cilantro, coconut milk, tumeric, mustard & cumin seeds; all cooked together and served over rice.

Still praying

Lunette is running a sale: 50% off their coral-colored cups with the code coral0515 You can find them here (model 1) and here (model 2).

The kitchen sink, usually. But there are very few things that I actually wash by hand. Mostly I just use the delicate cycle on our washer.

Yes, like PJ said, bacon is smoked and preserved. I'd eat it without batting an eyelash.

Behind your dresser, bedtable, bed? In your couch? Fallen under the seat in the car? Coat pockets?

Wanted to say again that I'm still praying fervently with all my WTM sisters for your son and family. May God continue to grant you all strength and His grace and peace. :grouphug:

Part of the gift.

Honestly, I think something like a medium brown or beige would hide dirt better. Brick red might work, too. Our porch is brick red and, while it usually looks dirty (how could it not, with muddy feet always walking on it?!?) I imagine it might be better on the door.