Just adding my vote to the chorus of "YES!"

We're long past the days of "a pound of meat" . Baked goods will last 2 days. I'll alternate ground beef or turkey in tacos with 2lbs of lentils.

I was adopted in the 70s as an infant. My family always just referred to me as their daughter and as an adoptive mom, I just refer to my kids as my kids. We don't look the same, so it's obvious they're adopted. If people have serious questions about adoption, I will answer them. If they're being nosy, and believe me, I know the difference, I say, "Why do you ask?" I'm so sorry you've been hurt :grouphug: .

We've never had a problem with ds. He has been a shower every day kid since he was very young. My dd, on the other hand, never bathes without being ordered to :huh: . Fortunately, neither of them are stinky, including the avoidant girl. Yet. The thing that scares me is loads of laundry lacking girl size undies :mellow: . Something isn't right.

Happy Family Day! We just celebrated our son's 14th year with us at the end of October. We're so lucky :001_wub: . Thanks for letting us share your joy!

We went last year from December 7th to the 14th. Ya know, I expected *more* somehow. The castle was awesome, but overall the Christmas decorations underwhelmed me. The most magical part for us was being able to catch the Main Street Electrical Parade. Since we're northerners, I guess the warm weather and Christmas music wasn't enough for me to get the Christmas spirit! Our week was also the busiest time we've ever been there (usually go in January or February) and I know early December is supposed to be slow. It wasn't wall to wall, but it was uncomfortable for a non-crowd lover!

There are several apps available for tablets, if you have one. My daughter loves Speed Anatomy. I benefited from using the Anatomy Coloring Book in college.

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

I just sent a message to be added to the group. I just got my Fitbit Zip today! Thanks :001_smile:

It's a good one!

I understand. Completely. :cheers2:

I just bought season 1 on DVD from Goodwill for $5. I was intending to watch while using my exercise bike :001_smile: . Now I won't need to worry about buying the rest of the seasons. Yay!

I've already seen the sites I would have recommended posted, but how about Sojourners? http://sojo.net/

My mom went when she was 70 or 71. She was glad she did it, but said she would NEVER do it again :lol: . I'm glad she went, just a few, short years later she was diagnosed with Parkinson's and dementia.

Trying to convince someone to continue reading the series, seems like a waste of time. It's totally OK to not like the books! There are SO many books I've tried to read because they were recommended here, or elsewhere, and I just did not care for them. By not reading something that doesn't give you pleasure, you're freeing up your time for reading something that will. Carry on, with no guilt! I loved the use of 40s music! It was so out of place. Perfect. I've never *loved* Claire, so I honestly never gave much time to creating a complete version of her in my mind, if that makes sense. I have a sort of general brown-haired placeholder that I picture when I'm reading. I have grown to like her more, as we've both aged. She was older than me when I first read Outlander and now she's older than me, again.

So this behavior started in her forties and has been going on for more than 10 years? I'm thinking it's not dementia and more likely another mental illness, like schizophrenia. Many of the characteristics and symptoms are actually quite similar, if not the same. That means the husband could have been dealing with variations of these behaviors for 30+ years!

I'm so sorry. It is such a hard decision to make :grouphug: . It's absolutely not unreasonable to look at all of your options. At this point, I do think it is important to remember that cats are very good at masking pain. Unfortunately, by the time they actively show pain, they have been injured or sick for some time.

The bolded may change as the disease progresses. And yes, it is common for them to fixate on someone. My mother was the most mild-mannered woman on the planet before she was diagnosed with dementia. My dad called me in a panic because he couldn't find her, so I got in my car to look. I found her walking down the highway, toward my house. She was trying to see me, yet became agitated when I stopped my car and tried to get her to get in. I was concerned she'd lose her balance and fall toward the traffic, so I gently took her elbow to guide her to the car. She swung at me AND cursed. SO out of character for my mom that it seemed like I was dealing with a stranger. I'm sure her husband is exhausted. He should find some respite services ASAP. It's just a heartbreaking disease :( I hate it and am relieved that my mom is at peace now.

I completely agree with everything NorthwestMom has said. We used those spinning door handle covers you use for toddlers. They would befuddle my mom long enough for someone to realize she was trying to leave the house. Yes, and the police are very compassionate in these situations and it's not a bad idea to have a record of her address and her description in case they ever need to issue a Silver Alert (the senior equivalent of an Amber Alert). You sound like good neighbors.

Ohhhhhh, I'm totally feeling the chemistry. Dh, who has not read the books, but is enjoying the series enough that he may indulge me and read them, finally, after *19* years (!!!!!), is feeling it, too. He can recognize "smitteness" ;) Ahem.

My son has a penicillin allergy, which we discovered when he was a young toddler. Apparently, it can trigger dermatographia, which we finally figured out he had after 12+ years of elimination diets and Benadryl. Being tired, or the pressure of the wooden chair he sat in to do school work, could cause hives and horrible itchiness. He would come out of his bedroom at night and his whole back would be covered in red scratches. He now takes a Zyrtec each day and he is fine. I wish we had figured it out sooner, poor kid :( So, definitely see your doctor, but keep dermatographia in the back of your mind if this continues. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatographia/basics/definition/con-20025360

I think it's pretty important. My ds has a tendency toward flat hands, particularly on his right. He has 5 years of piano under his belt and while he has improved, it's still not perfect. Dd, on the other hand, naturally played with curved hands and as her piano teacher says, has "the touch". Ds definitely tires more easily with longer pieces. If she likes it, I would encourage her to continue and work on the issue. Piano has so many benefits!

:iagree: You get chewed out whether you own the business, manage it, or are an hourly employee. The vast majority of people are so nice. The people that are lousy are REALLY lousy. I just try to remember they would have to be pretty miserable people to behave like that and I'm glad I'm not them! :grouphug: to your daughter. No one deserves to be treated disrespectfully.

I did not find it terribly painful. I found it annoying, more than anything. I'm sensitive to touch, anyway, but the constant touching, and the buzzing of the ink gun, nearly sent me through the roof. I had to really will myself to think about something else.

After reading how many of us had return trips for diagnostic mammograms and u/s, I have to wonder how much money is put out for all these tests that ultimately end up being nothing? Of course we're all so worried and anxious they know we'll get all the testing, as we should. It's just frustrating! We changed insurance this year, but last year, when I had to have all these diagnostics done, we had a high deductible AND a Disney trip I'd already booked. Impeccable timing :glare: .