If they are JWs, I'm sure you didn't offend them. We're JW's and holiday greetings don't offend us. We usually reply with a "thanks" if it isn't the time/place to say "Actually, we don't celebrate XMas." But the skirts don't really point to JWs as we don't wear skirts all the time (I mean, I'm sure some might, but as a generalization, no).

I'm trying to create an invoice where I can use a drop down menu to select a customer (which I've accomplished), but then I want it to autopopulate with the customer's address from another sheet. I'm trying to use the VLOOKUP function but I just can't get it to work. I've been trying to get this to work for...a long time. Much too long. Is there anyone that would be willing to look at my file and help me out? I'm willing to pay at this point. :D

We're just finishing up The Little House on the Prarie audio book (and holy racism, batman). I would like to find an audio book that tells the other side of the story for our next listen. I have Squanto for a regular read aloud, but we're spending so much time in the car nowadays that an audiobook is the way to go. Any recommendations?

We're 2 weeks away from taking over our new (to us) business and I'm feeling the need for some structure. Is GTD worth the cost of the book (library isn't an option)? I've been googleing the last few days but I'm just not feeling like I'm grasping the concept. Yeah, ok, put things on paper. Make a tickler file. And a project list (that I'm a little fuzzy on). Everything I'm reading just raaaaves about GTD but I don't know if I'm missing something or it really is that simple :) I tried listening to the author's TED talk but it wasn't all that insightful into the actual methodology. Anyway, has anyone had good (or bad or anything in between) experience using GTD?

We use Dreambox along side Right Start. It's a big hit around here.

I'm looking for a really good book. Nothing too dark and no adultery. I don't mind a light romance, or a light mystery but I just want a good story. I really loved the book Defending Jacob and I also enjoyed the Silent Wife. I've read (I think) all of Liane Moriarty and I enjoy her books. I've enjoyed legal thrillers in the past, too. Read anything good lately?

I'm going to be flying down to visit my sister & I'm wondering if I can rent movies (via Amazon Prime), download them to my tablet & view them while I'm in the air. Is that possible?

I get a lot of joy when the people I love enjoy the food I make (and say so). I get a lot of heartache when they complain about what I've made. I don't mind if they choose not to partake, but the whining and complaining sucks the life out of me. Politely refuse, forfeit dessert, and enjoy the company of your family.

I'm sorry Halcyon, I don't have much advice. I'm just now beginning to recognize and treat my own anxiety. But I will say that my anxiety makes me act similarly to how you're describing your DH. I've always shied away from prescription meds, but when I started having daily panic attacks I decided to try 5-HTP and it has helped tremendously (though I'm now much more open to a prescription help). I didn't realize how bad things had gotten until I started getting better. I tend to try to micromanage things (including my husband) when my anxiety is really bad. It's not out of "Do things my way because you're incapable" it's out of fear. My anxiety makes me incapable of letting things go or rolling with it. Every single thing in my life has to be managed or really terrible things will happen (in my mind). For example, if we are right on time to the Dr. appointment (rather than 10 minutes early) people will thing I'm an irresponsible mother who does not respect others time. Therefore, proper outfits must be laid out the night before, lecture about behavior must be given (not a reminder--a lecture), etc. etc. Anxiety turns molehills into mountains.

My dad always said you spend the first 2 years of a kid's life teaching them to walk & talk and the next 16 years to sit down and shut up. :lol:

My oldest 2 are non stop talkers. And my 3rd is showing signs of being just as gregarious. I really struggle with wanting them to grow up feeling listened to and acknowledged while still maintaining my own sanity. I'm not sure how it's going to work out. The other day my DS was telling me about a dream he had and he went on for 10 minutes. On and on and on and on. No one's dreams are that long or detailed. He was just telling a story. Which is fine, but he totally tricked me. LOL

Whenever I start a new thread, I always wonder if I should capitalize every word. Because it's a title right? But it's not a book title...it always gives me pause.

So, one thing lead to another and now I'm looking at airfare. If she decides to get married the 1st week in October, then I can be there easily (I can be there before that but there's a few more details to get ironed out). DH will be done with work (we're starting our own business) so childcare is taken care of. I could get there Thursday evening, spend Friday with her, watch her get married :), babysit the baby for their honeymoon night & be back home Saturday afternoon. :001_wub: I still need to run this by DH and the bride & groom but you guys were right; if it's important to me to be involved, I need to get involved. Providing, obviously, that my sister gives her approval. I just want to say, again, that my sister and I are very close. I'm not forcing my idea of what I think a wedding would be on her. We've talked in depth about why they're going the courthouse route :) and we've talked in depth (over the years) about what kind of wedding she would have if her circumstances were different. I also know her fiance pretty well & they're very similar life-of-the-party types. :D I really appreciate all the input. I wasn't sure if I should post originally, but I'm glad I did. You guys are much cheaper than a therapist :) and worked me through my issues super quick. :D And now I'm able to get over myself :blush: and be there (or "here") for my sis.

She would love a big party & reception. She's very much an extrovert. I'm the introverted one who hates parties. My original post was not about wanting a party (or to be entertained as a previous poster said)...it was about wanting to create memories & be there for my sister. And I'm still going to do that. It's just going to look a little different than what I had originally had in mind. It won't be less, it will just be different.

RIGHT?!?! It's awful. I know. I'm fixing it :D They're coming up next month for a visit...I don't think it will work out to throw a reception then (they're already "booked" :D) but I'm already planning. I've requested a night with my nephew :) if she's comfortable with that and I told her I want to throw her a wedding reception. I considered doing a stealth, surprise reception but that might run the risk of them not being able to make it :D

THANK YOU!!! Some great ideas there :)

They're coming for a visit next month! That's a great idea!

I really, really appreciate all the posts! They are really helping me get over myself :D My sister is VERY much extroverted. She loooves to play hostess & be the center of attention. She'd make a great bride. I wonder if I can get her something for her to wear...like a necklace or something?

This is going to sound terribly harsh...but I'm unlikely to drive 12 hours with 3 kids and get a hotel room to see a courthouse wedding in the next 2 weeks. I get what you're saying & at this point I think the, uh, "trappings" (man, my vocabulary is terrible this morning) mean more to me than the actual event. And I think it probably does mean more to me than her at this point. I think in her mind it's just something they need to get done already. And I totally get that. They've got a kid; they're both in it for the long haul. They're committed. This is just a formality.

And I'm really sad about it. I'm not surprised--they've been engaged for a year and a half and have an almost 1 year old. They moved 6 hours away from both their families a few months ago. I really miss her and my nephew. She asked my opinion a few weeks back; running big decisions by me by me as she often does. Our parents divorced when we were teens & it was pretty ugly; I more or less raised her after that. They've decided to just go to the court house and "get it done". She's tired of having a different last name than their son & tired of referring to her guy as her fiance. They don't have have the money to have a big affair (which confuses me because 1. A wedding does not have to be expensive; particularly in our family and 2. They've had a long time to save up but that's none of my business). I know I'm being selfish. I'm happy she's found her guy and I'm happy they are getting married. I just want to be there for her. With her. I was by her side when she gave birth to my nephew & I just always assumed I would be there when she got married. I want to have memories of her wedding day to laugh about in the coming years. I wanted to be there when she tried on wedding dresses. I can't say any of this to her because it isn't about me. It's her life and her decision. But I think she deserves to have a Wedding Day. I think she's going to regret this.I think she is going to feel like she settled (not on the guy, but on the wedding). In the past, she's been much more into weddings than I ever was. But mostly...I'm selfish. I'm posting here to get it our of my system. So I don't say anything to her. This isn't really a JAWM, but I do feel terrible about feeling the way I do :(

Yes, civil unions all around! :) I mean, they could continue to call it marriage (or whatever) :) but if you want to get hitched ;) in a religious ceremony, that would be separate. I hadn't considered the Justice of the Peace being completely secular; I assumed that there was some sort of religious slant to that, too...like there is with "In God We Trust" on American money or saying "under God" in the pledge of allegiance. I guess that just illustrates my confusion; if not for religious reasons, why oppose same sex marriage?

So, here's my thing. And I think there are members (actually, I very well be in the minority) of my religion that disagree. So this is me speaking for myself. And only myself. I believe that God does not approve of members of the same sex having intercourse. I also believe that God opposes many things that the government allows and even approves & encourages. I believe that marriage, when it comes to the government, should be viewed as a legal contract. And it's none of the government's business when 2 consenting adults enter into a legal agreement. I think the government should only offer 'civil unions' and leave the religious aspect of it to those who are religious. If you want to be married in the eyes of God (or whomever...however you believe that is done) then go do it. If you want the benefits of health insurance, custody, etc. etc. a civil union is what should be needed. What if the government said, "Hey. Ok. We're no longer going to recognize [insert religion] marriages."? People would be in a TIZZY. The US government is not a religious entity. The primary reason (the only reason?) people are against same sex marriage is religion. The GOVERNMENT IS NOT RELIGIOUS. People who are participating in the government may claim to be religious, but this is not a theocracy. Separation of church and state.

I think Flikr requires a fee once you hit a certain amount, but we've been using Shutterfly for 6+ years & I highly recommend it. Our family members can view our pictures & even order or download them for themselves.

Actually, this is really applicable to our family right now. We're buying a small rural grocery store & won't be selling cigarettes (though the current owners do). I don't imagine it will be well received & I think we're going to lose some business over it but I just can't bring myself to provide tobacco products.

I don't mind the commercials; they give me a chance to grab a snack. :D