We used the CDC quarantine calculator, which has her staying home 5 days after her first symptoms. She can then go back as long as she has not had a fever in 24 hours and her symptoms are improving. She is supposed to be able to go back Tuesday but the guidance is for her to mask at least 3 days. If she continues testing positive, she is supposed to continue masking after that as well.

Thanks all. That's interesting. She should wear a mask, right? I feel in need of reassurance.

DD15 has COVID. She's fully vaxxed and is doing very well. She's going to need to mask for a while when she returns to school. She's okay with it, and if it were entirely up to her, she would choose to do it. She's very conscientious. However, when I asked her if anyone else at school masked, she said she has only seen one teacher and *maybe* one student mask all year. The teacher has a serious health condition. She admitted she is a little nervous about it. She hasn't found her tribe yet and this probably will not help. 😞 I'm also frankly worried that it's going to embarrass her one friend, who comes from an anti-masking family. She is committed to doing the right thing and she will follow current CDC recommendations. I'm curious. Are high schoolers and/or teachers masking where you are? Please send prayers and good thoughts for DD.

Thank you so much. ❤️ We're almost certain she had it at the very beginning of the pandemic in 2020. She tested negative but had a very clear case of COVID toes!

DD just tested positive today. She had a low fever for two days, a little nausea, a sore throat, and some nasal congestion. Thankful we've all been vaxxed. Her case has been very mild. DH and I still negative. Please send prayers and good thoughts that this will not adversely affect her finals next week or her last assignments of the trimester (especially art!). DH and I were at a discount / overstock store yesterday and they had three shopping carts full of COVID tests for FREE. I didn't see one single interested person other than me, but I dug through them and found 30 (!) unexpired tests. Just FYI: DD immediately tested positive on both an expired test (June 2023) and on an unexpired test.

I have a SilencePlus model Bosch and really, really like it. Thanks to all who recommended that I get a dishwasher with a third rack. AMAZING.

And if I wanted to watch a particular show on tv, I had to be at home, wait until it came on, hope it was one I especially liked, and run to the bathroom during commercials. 🙂

This still sounds reportable.

Not giving insulin: That is abuse and I would report it immediately. Homeschooling only the Bible: That is abuse, IMO, but may not be illegal. Depending on the laws in their state, I might report them. Spanking for accident in bathtub: I would tell the person that is not something the child can control and that they should not have spanked the child. I would attempt to communicate this as persuasively as possible. There's nothing else you can do legally except keep an eye on them. 😞 Carrying guns into house if they know you don't allow it: They don't get to come over anymore. January 6 / Andrew Tate: Oh boy. I wouldn't debate these things. I would remind myself to show love to the family member. So sorry you are going through this.

I would without hesitation donate the wood and plastic toys. It seems a waste not to do so. If it makes you feel better, you can give them a quick once over with a disinfecting wipe. If I thought the stuffies were nice enough for resale, I'd wash them in the washing machine. I've done it many, many times and have rarely had any problem. All fabric / mostly fabric animals can go straight in the washer. More delicate or special stuffies, or ones with plastic features that you don't want banged up, can be tied in pillowcases or put in lingerie bags. Since you're not worried about preservation in this case, you can wash on hot. All or mostly fabric stuffies can be dried on low in the dryer. I'd air dry any with plastic faces. You can toss any that don't make it through the process, but the vast majority of modern stuffies can be washed just fine. Vintage stuffies with felt features might be damaged by a hot water machine wash. You can hand wash them if you like or let them take their chances in the washer. I don't think the toys are dangerous and I wouldn't worry about it.

I think he most likely did it but I also think the blood in the van should be tested. That should take care of it one way or another, I would think.

Initially I was having trouble choosing between the two, but Katy is exactly right--burgundy does feel autumn/winter-ish. I think the black will be perfect. You look great, BTW.

Same. We put her in infant bodysuits and she only had to wear the donut when we couldn't keep an eye on her. 🙂

Kong Cloud Collar has worked well for us. My dog could even sleep fairly comfortably in it.

Sperm can live 3-5 days. If you ovulated later than you thought and sperm were still around, it's possible that you're not far enough along yet for a positive. I'd guess that the spotting was just from cervical irritation.

You know everyone's going to be clicking on this thread continually. Me included. 😉 I hope you find out soon. I know the wondering is hard.

And that name!!! Love it! ❤️

My doctor prescribed trazodone for my insomnia and it worked very well. I had previously taken Ambien and trazodone did seem to have fewer side effects. As I recall, I was prescribed 1 to 2 pills and I found 1 1/2 was just right for me. It's considered a very safe drug, even for long-term use. It's used in nursing homes quite a bit, IIRC. Insomnia is a BEAST and I had already tried everything over-the-counter to no avail. I'd much rather take trazodone than an antihistamine. Super thankful such medications are available.

I think of this quote every single summer, too. 🙂

This is a total change of topic but I will tell an anecdotal tale that is marginally related. 🙂 When DH and I told our family that we were hoping to find out the sex of our child during a ultrasound, one relative was HORRIFIED. She was vehement that it would ruin the "fun" of being surprised and she insisted that we not tell *her* the results of the ultrasound. She wanted to wait until our baby was born to find out. (Didn't work out, as everyone else knew and it slipped out at some point.) Bizarre, right? I think people want to capture the "surprise!" of a sex reveal at birth with the convenience of knowing ahead of time. Also presents. And a party. And Pinterest worthy pics. I am not in favor of the trend for many reasons. People are weird. 🙂

I am, and I love the idea of including little toy surprises in homemade Happy Meals. 🙂 Auntie MercyA will send toys if necessary! 😉

In the last couple months, I have done this exact thing three or four times. You are not alone. Hugs to you.

I currently use a store brand version of the soft Charmin. I'm definitely going to try the real-deal strong Charmin next. Thanks, all!

That's all we used growing up, and my mom says even Scott has turned linty! So weird. You wouldn't think it would be!

Pet peeve: linty toilet paper. There is constantly lint all over my bathroom...my mom's bathroom...my aunt's bathroom...and we are convinced it is the toilet paper. It's being made more cheaply or something. Drives me crazy to have to dust my bathroom constantly.