:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: We had the exact opposite experience this time around -- less than two weeks from filing before DH got his first week paid. We are still in shock that it was so quick.

I am so sorry.:grouphug:

Another vote for Artemis Fowl.

I have leftover ham and cauliflower in the crockpot with onion, evaporated milk, spices, and two types of cheese -- I am hoping it turns out like something similar I had, minus the canned soup the original recipe called for. Serving that with rice, steamed zucchini, green salad, and fruit.

So glad to hear this!

I like them savory, but my kids like them sweet -- they add butter and maple syrup.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Good to know -- Amazon has a few made by that company.

Somehow we never got around to getting a marble run, and the kids are still asking for one. They are 7 and 9 now, but are adamant that they would play with one, and it does look like some would be fun for older kids. Is it worth it for older kids? Do your kids have one they love?

I would file a copy of any custody paperwork with the office of the school -- that way the principal and his staff have it on hand and can show it to any teachers or staff who ask to see it. When my stepson started kindergarten his mother gave the school a copy of the custody order because they had a checklist that said they wanted a copy if there was an order in effect for any child attending there. She was pretty annoyed when the school bent over backwards to keep us in the loop, but the order specifically said that educational decisions fell into the category of things on which DH was supposed to have a say.

Ham, mashed potatoes, green salad, fruit salad, cauliflower, deviled eggs. Zucchini bread for dessert.

Wonderful!

Here it is always on the 31st. In my hometown it is the Thursday before Halloween (or the 31st if that is a Thursday).

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

:iagree: All of that, plus sometimes all of the cooking is being done with just a microwave or a hot plate. Sometimes the cooking is being done by kids left home while single parents are at work. Some of these kids are living in motel rooms with no way to heat up or refrigerate any food at all.

Thanks, everyone. I picked up the Prilosec today, but it looks like that will take some time to kick in even if it does turn out to be the solution.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I need to pick your brains..... I have had upper abdominal pain that has been building gradually for months. It is pretty centralized, and is between my rib cage and navel. The first several flare-ups happened at times I sort of expected to feel icky, and I got it in my head that this was cyclical -- until this month when it moved in and has just been getting worse for the past few weeks. My navel itself felt so sensitive that I sort of expected to be told it was an umbilical hernia, but it turns out it isn't. The doctor was worried enough when I described the symptoms that she sent me straight for a CT scan and a bunch of blood/urine tests. The good news is that they didn't show anything -- the bad news, obviously, is that I am still in pain. She prescribed Prilosec and is sending me for a scope (upper GI?) next week. She said that I may very well have an ulcer, and that not everyone gets reflux/heartburn symptoms with them. Any ideas? Obviously I'll know more after next week, but I figured asking around for experiences and opinions might be useful.

Congrats!

Hanging my head in shame as I realize that my kids each have 3 bathrobes and 4 swim outfits..... Don't get me started on jeans and tee-shirts! We get a LOT of hand-me-downs, plus my stepmom loves buying them clothes.

Congrats!

Nice! I have two crockpots going -- one has roast pork and sauerkraut, the other is chicken soup. Not sure yet which we're going to end up with tonight. I have mashed potatoes ready for the pork, and will make baked potatoes if we do soup. Either way, we'll have green salad as a side, and spice cake for dessert.

:iagree: I feel about the holiday foods at ALDI the way my kids feel about toy stores. So many nice imported chocolates/cookies/cheeses!

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Glad to know things are looking good!