I hear ya on that! Last year I complained to myself because my biceps looked fat. I thought, what the heck, I swim for fitness, how could that be? Then this weekend, I made the mistake of shopping and seeing myself in the mirror of the dressing room. When I bend forward, now my biceps look wrinkly. So I realize that I would rather have my 'fat' arms back. I guess I am losing muscle which they say happens as we age. Early 60's here, and I'm not enjoying the changes. I will be all ears about the face suggestions and have begun to workout with Kaleigh Cohen, as suggested in another thread.

Early 70's for me and the only time I can remember sitting still was right after school or playing a game or crafting with a friend. Grabbing a snack and maybe watching an after school special. Then it was outdoors: riding bikes, walking the woods, flashlight tag, swimming, skating, sledding, etc. We often skated and went sledding in the dark, so even after dinner. It was magical. If we weren't playing, we were cleaning the river, hunting for turtles or building an ice sail in the winter. None of this was prompted by an adult. We were just an industrious group of kids in the neighborhood and we were never looking for trouble.

You guys are doing great! Just before Christmas, I donated a TRUNK full of items I bought through the years as small gifts to have on hand as well as like new items for a Santa Shop for victims of local fires. Who knew it would all add up to a trunk full! A bed and bedspread was donated as well. Was also up in the middle of the night, so I worked on purging photos off my computer. Also working to organize them. Downsizing Christmas boxes and wrappings today.

This sounds very difficult, I'm sorry you are going through this. I agree with Katy, those sound like good ideas, especially not bringing Chromebook home in the first place. Probably most parents aren't aware of this and they should be. Speaking to the principal about this should be number 1. If he doesn't do anything, get yourself on the agenda for school board meetings, educating other parents about this and asking administrators to change this. Repeat your request monthly if they do nothing. At least you are doing your part in trying to keep all kids safe, not just your own. And hopefully other parents will see the need to help make a change. These are just a few ideas, I look forward to what others have to say.

This is the best news ever, thanks for updating! As an educator who has worked in both public and private schools, homeschooled my own, etc. I would be interested to hear what kind of placement your son is in. I am so happy for your son and family!

I'm sure others will chime in. 2 that I have heard about but have not used yet and come with a fee are: https://www.kiwiwrite.com/ Equatio

Hoping for the best for you as well! So hard when that happens just before the holidays.

It's good to know we aren't alone for sure. It reminds me of when my HS band teacher would yell at us (in a fatherly frustrated way), C'mon kids, can you get it right?! But we were what, 4-18 then and not in our 20's! 😜

Yes, I was thinking of 100 Dresses and All of a Kind Family!

They commented on it, and then sat down 8 feet away and blasted Youtube without any headphones on. I feel like a condescending grinch every time I have to point out the obvious. I totally get all of this. When I was growing up, we were taught to think of 'the other person', most often the others in the house. You make a puddle on the counter, clean it up. Someone stopping in? Offer them something to eat, drink...It was just a given. Think about how others would feel. And as we raised our kids, we often did nice things for the neighbors such as shovel if the snow is deep for the 80 year old down the street or bring them a plate of cookies just because... And when they had friends over, when they were little, they would share treats no problem. But now that they are in their 20's, I'm feeling the same way as HomeAgain, I have to state the obvious. "What would you like to bring for Thanksgiving dinner/weekend?" (because they haven't offered in the past and I'm noticing a pattern, or because we don't cook the same foods they like to eat but they aren't afraid to ask why we didn't cook such and such.) Help clean up and put food away after a big meal? See something that needs to be done like shovel while we are in the kitchen? What? It's like a total disconnect and it isn't what we modeled. I don't want to be the condescending grinch every time either, but man it's hard. Maybe it's a maturity thing and once they have kids, they will finally get it. Ugh, I don't want to wait that long!

Done with junky gifts, over the stuff...I totally get that. I was shopping at the mall yesterday, not something I normally do on a weekend before Christmas. And you are right, the stuff people were buying, even the $1 stocking stuffer things. I thought, people from other countries must think Christmas for us in the US is a strange tradition. Just buy, buy, buy, just because we are conditioned to, even if the things are crappy trinkets. You are doing great giving cash for what they really need. You have a right to feel off today, sounds like things have been hard. I have felt the same way when relatives of dd's boyfriend give her cute things that I would never think to give her. I'm just that kind of shopper. Your gifts are very generous to them and I'm sure they will appreciate cash. I've felt the way you have, and today is today, but tomorrow will be another, and probably you will feel much better. Hugs.

I think it was reasonable that he asked. It's hard to find parking spots and he thought he would take a chance. At least he wasn't impatiently waiting and turning aggressive.

That's what I don't understand either. I've heard it over the years and he has no appeal whatsoever.

We have beige similar to what you are thinking and it looks nice. IDK what your climate is like, but we have cold winters. So we have 2 small sections (main standing places ) which are heated with the flip of a switch. So this may be something to think about before laying tiles.

Nite Ize Nighthowl LED Safety Necklace Nite Ize Nitehowl LED Safety Necklace - Light Up Dog Necklace With LED Lights - Dog Accessories For Walking & Running At Night - Replaceable Batterie - Bing - Shopping I like this for walking the dog at night, or playing fetch (glow ball of course) so I can see where he is. Definite must have especially for short days in the winter. Also, I bought dehydrated dog treats at a holiday bazaar made of real meat. I've never seen that before.

Trader Joe's has a great variety of nuts (shelled). I buy them this way and they taste fine. I wonder if they taste fresher/different when you have to shell them yourself.

Jack Nicholson-he was always referred to as a s*xy star (idk if I can write the real word here), a real lady's man. And I just never saw it-not handsome at all. Personality? Yuck.

I take 2 a day to keep up my selenium levels. They are kind of creamy and having a few for breakfast with a fruit or veggie shake helps me feel full. But I've never seen them in a huge bag. If they were a good price, even better! Regarding warnings (well, ones that seem like common sense, like your fast food wrapper below). Our pool still has the warning sign that was put up once things started to open up after covid: Warning, remove mask before swimming! (With a picture of the blue medical mask, not a swimming mask.)🤪 I'm sure they don't realize it's still there, but I was always like, duh, do we really need that warning?!

Or I'm wondering if your chair is squeaking as you move around? Or your desk? I was using a TV tray recently and heard squeaking and realized it was my table as I moved around...Please share with us when you find out what it is!

I've lived both in the midwest and the west coast and never heard BFE. We used to say 'out in the boonies'. I only recently learned about 'chillin' from the hive (I think). I had no idea of the connotation, so I googled the saying and realized what it meant. I have young 20 year olds that went to college, and I wonder how many times I've told them to just chill (as in don't get hyped over nothing, but I never heard them snicker about my comment). Or maybe when I asked what they were doing for the evening and they would say they were chilling with friends and now I wonder if that's what was going on?! SNAFU and FUBAR? No idea. How are we supposed to know when to look these things up?!

I wonder if there is a reset button you have to use (you know, like our VCR's and other electronic devices have). There are youtube videos about this. But idk, if a repairman comes in, I hope he can explain to you what he did so you will know for next time. BTW, your place is coming together nicely, I hope you are enjoying your furnishings. It's too bad this one thing is taking so much energy and I hope it can work for you soon. In the mean time, I would keep watching craigslist. I just saw a stackable for $100.

Ooh, Pretty Peep! What a social bird, that is so sweet! How fun to have a bird that enjoys singing. As a child, I recall Kay Landing, reading about Smokey the Bear. (lonnnnnnng ago!) Her voice was so soothing and friendly. Anything by Mister Rogers? I also remember a record I had about Peter and the Wolf, especially the music.

I have had acorn squash with the seasonings on them that you listed (didn't call for yogurt) and it was fantastic! So I would think you could add it with the chicken just the same. Yum!

One elementary school I've worked with for the last several years has been having their students 'cite' since 6th grade if not before (and this is not even an advanced type of school). So I am surprised to hear a comment where high schoolers weren't needing to do that. I think citing is overkill personally. My daughter went from homeschool to high school where it seemed all her essays had to be cited. She did fine with it, but when she wanted me to check her papers for any suggestions, she was on her own with citing (she did it better than me). I saw very few personal essays or creative writing type papers, if any. And I am not sure how she would have done with those because she was used to citing so much. So, just make sure your child can do a variety of writings...

So many good books listed above, I want to read them again for myself! A few others that were our favorites. She may be able to breeze through some of these pretty easily, but they are good ones: Snow Treasure Snow Treasure by McSwigan, Marie (amazon.com) Twenty and Ten Twenty and Ten by Bishop, Claire Huchet (amazon.com) NILS: The Wonderful Adventures of NILS... by Lagerlöf, Selma (amazon.com) Child of the Crossfire: A True Story by Alcyon Ruth Fleck (amazon.com) And be sure to check Sonlight for other great suggestions.