Help me pick winter/snow boots. I have thick calves so keep that in mind. I'm looking at sheep skinned lined shoes but don't really know how much I care. I want a durable boot that will last years and can be worn in the snow and just the cold days of winter. Thanks

Only sane one in the store!

One disappointing Thanksgiving my family somehow managed to forget about who was providing the pies. So we had no dessert at all!!! Ever since we always have way too much pie!! But that is never really a problem is it.

Nope! I'm done my Christmas shopping! I have gone in twice in the past with my best friend mainly just to people watch. It's interesting to watch the frenzy and how different personalities handle it. I should add, the people watching isn't a judgementing thing. I genuinely have a fascination/love of learning about humans thru observing them in everyday life.

Meh. I of course say thank you and am grateful for them but I find it quite rude to go home and immediately toss a gift out of my house that someone spent time and money on. If they are going to do that then I will happily oblige with a wish list request because they would rather give me something I want than something I might want to get rid of right away.

I used to hate lists because the idea of knowing what I was getting each year was not fun. But then I had my first Christmas with dh's family and realize if I don't have a list they will get me things that are typical go to gifts for women like candles, home decor items, make up, clothes, romantic comedy movies, etc. I do not like most of those things. I have loved lists ever since!

I love it!!

I love it!!

Pipe burst in my house and water logged out laundry room and have displaced us for at least today. This causing us to cancel our thanksgiving game night with friends we were going to have tomorrow

It must be a long weekend where my dh doesn't have to work because we have another damn water leak! One of the only areas not with new plumbing yet and it sprung a huge leak this morning! No cleaning for me today because we can't deal with this problem till my dad gets home on Sunday. So instead it's pack everyone up and figure out where we're staying the next few days.

Happy Thanksgiving! My schedule consists of cleaning since we are having people over tomorrow night, pet sitting, and eating at Mil's. Oh and I'll be watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles while making sure I'm done my Christmas shopping as well.

Go for it!

My favorite thing to do with my kids ages 6, 4.5, and 2 is an Advent chain made out of construction paper. The day we are constructing it we work as a team to come up with a random act of kindness to attach to each one. Every day in Advent we cut a piece of the chain and talk about the importance of being kind to one another. The kids aren't required to do the act, since it wouldn't really be a random act of kindness if they were require, but we do talk about it and why that particular one is important. Inevitably they do some of them on the day they cut that chain or in the next few days.

In the past I have contacted sellers on Amazon when a book is ridiculously overpriced and been very frank about the fact that I'm interested in their book but their silly algorithm has priced it so no one in their right mind would ever buy it. I then make a reasonable offer on the book and have at times been granted that offer. It is certainly worth a try.

Planes,Trains, and Automobiles!!! If I weren't going to a wedding reception tonight that is exactly what we'd be doing!!! Will have to wait till tomorrow to watch it though!

ds is finally outside playing in the snow!!! He's been waiting for the last 3 days!

I didn't mean to imply he wasn't a good man, just that I understand the being blinded by emotions and thinking things can wait and how important it can be to have someone who can help you come around sooner or who can handle things when you can't.

So sorry to hear about your dogs suffering. It is so difficult sometimes to face it and realize your animal is suffering and this could likely be the end. I;m glad to hear you are calling. That is what is best for your dog right now. If your dh isn't able to see that its a good thing he has a wife who can.

Be done!! Its 11:30 here and I haven't even gotten out of bed yet. Kids have happily been watching TV while waiting for the snow to start. School will resume on Monday!

But that game is on the top my wish list!

Well its 10 am and I haven't even gotten out of bed yet! Dh even brought me my breakfast. Luckymama, my ds is already wearing snow boots,gloves, and a hat. He hasn't even asked to go out. He's just waiting patiently at the window watching.

Will you be my mom so I can have all those playmobil? I love playmobil and we have none! My kids love Legos so I can get my fix playing with those because I them too.

Tammy we are waiting for snow as well! I'm actually hoping we get some. I love snow! -clean upstair rooms I skipped yesterday -get kids ready to hang out with their cousins tonight -get ready for wedding reception -enjoy a nice reception without the kids with awesome friends and my husband!!

I don't get much of the disagreeing in my families but I imagine on my dh's side it's because my children are still young, oldest is in kindergarten. With a fil who is a ps high school principal and a mil who is a PS administrative assistant for the 3 votech schools in the area I know they aren't thrilled. I'm thankful they've kept that opinion to themselves but I know it will come out as my kids get older. My family is entirely supportive and even many of my siblings are homeschooling or have at times. OP I hope your thanksgiving runs smoothly and any conversation you have about homeschooling is as pleasant as those discussions can be.

Do you use leather collars? My dogs stopped destroying collars once I switched to a thick leather collar. I would try to find the one I use but I purchased them years ago and have no idea what brand they are. As for the jangling, tape the tags together so they can't bang up against each other.