I’m glad my colonoscopy this morning is done and I don’t have to do it again for 10 years, although I may refuse it unless they get a simpler prep because it’s had me stressed and cranky all week.

Thanks for sharing this info! We may plan to use it for our next vacation.

I had to move my sewing machine to put up the Christmas tree, so I just this week got it back where it’s usable. I’ve been learning to quilt with some other women at my church. Last year we made our first large quilt. This year we are making a sampler quilt. I have the fabric and the directions for the first square, but haven’t had time yet. When I was buying fabric for it, dd found a print she really liked and wanted me to make a pillow case with it. I finished that yesterday.

A while back dh got into watching YouTube videos of people’s adventures traveling by train. There are some incredible train trips you can take, some with stops along the way to sightsee. Might be worth checking out.

We visited dh’s family yesterday and my mom is coming after Christmas, so we are having a fairly calm day. We went to church and out to lunch. I finished wrapping gifts and did some needed kitchen cleanup before cooking tomorrow. And we are tracking Santa! Noradsanta.org

Little House on the Prairie. Make or buy a rag doll like Laura had. Or a bonnet and other clothes for dress up.

Bean dip and tortilla chips. Mix a can of refried beans and a taco seasoning packet together. Spread evenly in an 8x8 casserole dish. Add a layer of sour cream. Top with cheddar cheese and bake until the warm and the cheese is melted. I don’t have a recipe, but chocolate hummus with pretzel chips is really good if you want something sweet.

Jim Carey is horrible. The Truman Show is the only movie he made that I will watch. Probably because it’s not a movie length potty humor sketch. I also don’t like Fran Dresher. I like Friends, but I hate the episodes with her in it. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard.

There are lots of escape room games, that would be fun and cooperative.

I wonder if what numerical grade constitutes an A at various college and majors explains any of the changes? I love the small private college my dd is at, but one thing that is quite annoying is that each teacher has a different standard for what is an A. In one class a 90 is an A, in another class the lowest A is a 94. I wonder if any of the schools mentioned have changed grading policies in the last few years? If a 93 was a B 5 years ago, but now it’s an A, that would be significant to the discussion.

The major he’s doing is in technology and the only non-tech requirements are English comp and college algebra. I’d rather save his DE courses for things he will need to graduate.

Ds and I have been talking about courses for the rest of this year and next year (current 11th grade). He’s taking DE classes, plus the typical high school requirements. The one thing I’m stuck on is science for next year. I really, really don’t want to do physics. I know it will be a struggle for him and a headache for me. I’m hoping he will continue at the local CC after graduation and get his associates degree. Other than that, he has no interest in college, but I want him to have the high school credits he needs if he changes his mind. So what are our options? Specific curriculum options would be helpful too.

4 years is way too long for anything in my opinion. Expired last year, maybe, but not 4.

We don’t own any. One year someone (I think it was mil, but the kids opened so fast I never found out) gave oldest dd a sweater with a stuffie unicorn coming out of the front. Ds got something similarly awful. They were so bad they didn’t even want them for “ugly sweaters.” They were donated soon after Christmas.

Root beer is a good idea. I may see if I can find butter beer because she loved it at Universal last year.

Dd is turning 21 soon. I wasn’t going to make a huge deal of it, but both my mom and mil are fretting over what to do/buy for her. So now I’m going to look bad if I don’t make a bigger deal than other birthdays. Add in a birthday near the holidays and it gets more complicated. I know she wants to see her boyfriend over the holidays, but he’ll be a plane ride away working over the break, so that’s not happening. We aren’t drinkers, so things involving alcohol won’t work. Give me all your best ideas, please!

It’s only Dec 4! We only just determined yesterday what family we will see when. Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls are our Christmas morning tradition because it’s easy and not cereal. I bought a turkey breast before Thanksgiving before we were invited to mil’s house, so I’ll cook that in the crockpot. The rest? TBD at a much later date.

If you want Correlle, they have been running really good sales for Black Friday and cyber Monday.

My skin gets really dry and itchy in winter. My favorite lotion is Euceren (sp?) Calming Cream. It’s very soothing.

I have used baking soda and vinegar made into a runny paste and cleaned with a toothbrush. It’s not the quickest way, but it works.

We call sudoku “suck a doo” because that’s what my oldest called it when she was little. It’s too the point that I have to really think about it to say it correctly.

We are traveling to my mil’s house for the day, so I’m not doing much until Wednesday. Then I need to make jello salad, pumpkin pie, and starting sweet potato casserole (I found a recipe similar to what I have made in the past that explains how to do most of it in advance).

Taco bar

I use Snapfish. I make one every year for the grandparents with pictures of my kids throughout the year.

Not to veer too far off topic, but this post reminds me of an unusual use of a power chair at my church. The summer before last someone figured out how to use one to pull 3 wagons like a train. Sides were built for the chair and wagons. During snack time kids get to ride in the wagons around the building. I’ve been surprised at how much weight it can pull. Six elementary kids (2 per wagon) or 3 teens, plus the adult driver.