DoraBora
-
Posts
866 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by DoraBora
-
-
We don't know the whole story here. Is it possible that this boy has caused problems in the neighborhood? It would be understandable if he is acting out, considering the terrible losses he's experienced. The HOA may want to be quiet about that because they don't want to disparage him or his grandparents. (Someone upthread pointed out what a thankless job it can be to sit on an HOA board.)
-
1
-
-
Is your son required to go on your trip out west?
I'm sorry this is the situation. Its must be painful.
-
1
-
-
Pretty aprons and a couple of baking tools? Pioneer Woman has pretty stuff at Walmart.
You could make a nice printout of Ma Ingalls' Vanity Cake recipe and try it together at some point.
https://sitesandstories.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/cooking-with-chloe-lauras-vanity-cakes/
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, gardenmom5 said:
they cry they want the money to go to teachers . . . it never does. it always ends up in the pockets of administration. that's one reason why test scores never improve.
and yeah - I'm already paying a lot in taxes for our school district.
Exactly. My school district voted to increase our already-high taxes so more money would go to our schools. The teachers received another (not quite) cost of living raise, but there are assistant superintendents, area superintendents, curriculum specialists, compliance specialists galore.
It's frustrating.
-
1
-
-
6 hours ago, ByeByeMartha said:
As long as you brought that up, is anyone else tired of being asked if they want to "round up" every time they're at the store cashier?
Yes, particularly because I often don't know enough about the charity to which I'm being asked to donate. So many of the big charities pay their CEOs huge salaries and have lots of expenses. It seems that they can't just keep things simple.
-
3
-
-
-
We had a great time. Everyone contributed food and laughter. We just had my mom, my sister and her family, and a dear friend who just had her final chemo treatment on Tuesday -- definitely a reason to celebrate! Our meal was at lunchtime so we'd have time to visit and play Fishbowl before the Cowboy game kicked off (ahem).
I was missing my dad last night in the quiet after everyone went home or to bed, but I'm grateful for the time we had with him.
Feeling very thankful and pleasantly tired today.
-
2
-
-
Yes and no. My sister bought an ice cream pie from our neighborhood ice cream shop and that is sitting in my freezer. My son decided to make an apple crumble, which he will put together this morning, instead of apple pie (no crust - easier). Dh is making two different green bean casserole recipes (which he hasn't started!). Sister is bringing sheet-pan root veggies to roast at the last minute. I have finished the turkey and dressing (though I will need to re-heat them). We plan to eat around noon.
Normally two ovens is too many...
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and enjoy your pies!
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, Homeschool Mom in AZ said:
I had divorced parents, grandparents, 3 step-siblings and a biological sibling, their spouses and other extended family within an hour of my house to work around for the first 45 years of my life. Holidays had to be flexible growing up. I was usually the one doing the coordinating as an adult, which is perfectly fine with me. It's more work, but more influence. I get it and apply it to my married daughters. I always tell them, "We'd love to see you for the holidays. Let us know when works for you and we'll work around it. If that's not possible, we'll figure out a time after the holidays. " And I always did.
My sons-in-law are from families where people are inflexible and entitled in spite of being from divorced family situations. I've been playing the long game and it's paying off big time.
When we moved across the country we invited the couples to relocate near us. We would help with the move if that's what they wanted to do. Middle daughter and middle SIL took us up on it straight away. Older daughter and SIL opted to move a state away for a job offer. We helped them with that and have worked around their schedules for holidays. Now that they've decided they don't like the climate there and the business daughter was working for isn't doing well, they have plans to move next summer....near us, not his family.
Neither of them have a whole lot of contact with their families because difficult people are difficult people and people who understand that they have agency and choices tend to choose to avoid difficult people. Life is full of natural consequences.
Oh, and BONUS! Now adult daughters are doing some of the hosting. They start with, "We'd like host Thanksgiving in our new house this year. Let us know when works for you..." I have less responsibility and still some influence.Your story is just awesome! Thank you for sharing! 😊
-
Both of my kids went through a course of Accutane. I let them make the decision, but I encouraged it because I was nearly sure it would work well. Now I wish we had done it sooner, particularly for my son.
I kept a close eye on them for serious side effects, and we had none. The dry skin and monthly blood draws were a hassle, but well worth the trouble for clear skin.
-
Another thought: Does your church have a volunteer ministry in which you could participate during the evenings (while your husband watches the children)? Working with someone on a project can be a good way to get to know someone. Then you could follow up with an invitation.
-
3
-
-
25 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:
Can you build one on one relationships with people from church? Can you bring a meal in to someone recovering from surgery or invite a family over for supper? I am Team Introvert and by building those relationships privately, I can cope with group chaos.
I wonder how many other families with small children are at your church. Honestly, I wonder if this is a large family of small children mixed in with an older congregation problem.
I think this is a great idea. Maybe you could make a point to chat with someone who seems receptive to speaking to you for a few Sundays (or whenevers) in a row. Then ask if she'd like to meet somewhere for a cup of coffee or invite her and her family over for pizza and games one night soon. When you extend the invitation, make the time relatively brief: Do you want to meet at Starbucks for an hour or so on Tuesday? Would you and your family like to come over for pizza and games for a couple of hours on Friday evening? Keeping it brief might make you feel at greater ease and can make a meeting seem easier to manage, schedule-wise, for the other person.
Seeing someone outside of the official meeting times adds some heft to the relationship. It will give you something to talk about when you see them again.
And you may have to keep at it. If the first try doesn't work - she doesn't have time -- try for another time. If she seems uninterested, try someone else.
My mom had a wonderful friend whose husband worked for oil companies. They moved all over the place, like military people, and were often the new kids on the block. She would start in, trying to make connections by extending invitations over and over. It can take some time.
I think I understand where you are in this, and I'm sorry you have depression to deal with and some anxiety. Social situations are tiring for an introverted person -- they are for me, anyway -- but the effort might well pay off.
-
2
-
-
-
6 hours ago, katilac said:
Louisiana here and yes, oyster dressing is fairly common. Not as much as it used to be.
Texas is not part of the south. Texas is . . . Texas.
My grandmother was from Louisiana, and her dressing recipe calls for rice and oysters.
Texas was a Confederate state, but I know what you mean. East Texas feels southern to me, pine trees and all.
I've heard it said that President Johnson was from the west and his wife Ladybird was from the south, though they were both native Texans. He was from a town west of Austin and she was from East Texas, not too far from Louisiana.
-
The National Archive may be able to help you find records.
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/emergencies
I've walked a road much like the one you are on. I'm sorry.
-
I know you have looked through all of the paperwork you can find, but did you find their income tax records from the past few years (or even just last year)? Some people keep the end-of-year statements with their copy of the return. They should have received one from his pension, the mortgage company, investments from which they are taking income, etc.
-
3
-
-
Deviled eggs are yummy!
Pigs/Cows in a blanket: Lil' Smokies pork or beef mini-sausages and crescent roll dough. Store brand works on the dough. Cut it in stips with a pizza cutter, roll dough around each little sausage and follow the baking directions on the crescent roll package.
Little sandwiches? Pimento cheese/chicken salad/deli meat and cheese sandwiches cut into super-fancy-and-impressive triangles (remove the crusts if you are feeling ambitious).
In one of the Mitford books, Father Tim made a tray of peanut butter and jelly fancy sandwiches (cut in triangles and without crusts) in honor of a favorite elderly parishioner and everyone devoured them. I think that's actually an original idea.
What about pumpkin-something (muffins with chocolate chips, etc.)? Or some spicy tomato soup to serve in little cups and top with croutons?
Party food is so fun!
-
1
-
-
Agree that a traditional Thanksgiving feast in Dallas won't be that different from anywhere else, though dressing/stuffing recipes seem to be regional. My family's dressing is my Louisiana grandmother's recipe with cornbread (made without sugar), rice, oysters, celery and onion, chicken stock to moisten, and lots of black pepper.
What about a different pie?
https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/pecan-pie-recipe-2/
And if you're feeling adventurous, you could fry your turkey. (There are quite a few places around here that sell Cajun Fried Turkeys for the holidays -- again that Louisiana/Texas connection.)
https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/how-to-deep-fry-a-turkey/
The Dallas Cowboys (American football team) have played a game every Thanksgiving afternoon since the mid-60s. If your dh's family were fans, that would be a nice touch of nostalgia (though even if you can watch it, kickoff will be around 3:15 pm Dallas time - prob pretty late where you are).
-
1
-
-
1. I love consumable things: Chipotle or Corner Bakery-type restaurant gift card, a set of nice greeting cards and the same number of Forever stamps, coffee house or movie house gift card, a couple of packages of gourmet soup starter (the add chicken stock kind) and crackers or croutons to accompany.
A few current magazines
A book or two that you love (with a note about why you love them)
An Amazon gift card to purchase a month or two of Hallmark movies for the Christmas season ($4.99 a month after 7 day free trial), with a jar/package of homemade hot chocolate mix and some marshmallows to accompany it
2. I think Guatemalans eat tamales at Christmas. Last year I made oven fries with sweet potatoes for my dairy-free dd. Most veggies can easily be dairy free, though until dd cut dairy I hadn't realized how much cheese we use here!
3. I will have to think about stuff for the sailor...
-
1
-
-
Texas colleges require Meningitis A -- even the community colleges -- with exemptions for conscientious objectors, students over the age of 22, whose doctors think the vaccine is risky for them, etc. Both of my kids had it and neither had any noticeable side effects. I say do it. The disease is not terribly common, but moves quickly and can be deadly.
My younger child's doc talked us into the Meningitis B shot, which is given in two doses, six months apart.
-
That is awesome! Way to go!
-
I love this thread!
-
1
-
-
What colors make you look your best? Can you wear warm tones, or are cool tones better? If you can wear navy or a deep blue, that won't clash with red, yellow, or gray.
Nordstrom has nice mother of the bride dresses that don't seem too matronly. So does Amazon. Something from Modcloth might work for the right person. You could also find a long skirt and pair it with a dressy top if you crave versatility.
When people say congratulations, they are telling you that they are happy for your daughter and for your family. A simple "Thank you." in reply is all that's needed. 😊
-
2
-
-
I get it!
Agree that your older children need to step up. Even if you have to help them at first (which is more work), they will soon be able to do things on their own. It will benefit them in the long run, anyway. And everyone should help with dishes and setting the table. If you assign your three younger children one evening a week, you could sit down with them to plan a simple meal and have them list the ingredients needed, check the pantry and freezer/fridge, etc., doing as much of that as they can on their own. My library has tons of "children's" cookbooks.
For planning, I'm a big fan of Monday is pasta night, Taco (or Tex-Mex) Tuesday, Wednesday is soup and sandwiches, Thursday is make-your-own-pizza night, etc. Add a leftover night (if you have leftovers).
My go-to meal is Chipotle restaurant-style. I make a double batch of brown basmati rice, open a large can or two of black beans, and add grilled chicken or flank steak (cooked in bulk, sliced while hot, and freezer-bagged in meal sized portions. I serve this with shredded cheese, avocado slices, salsa or pico (if I have time to chop and chop). This meal also works well with grilled fish.
Cooking double rice, pasta, and grilled chicken or meats can be a huge time and labor saver. Also, cutting up veggies in advance (all at once, maybe using a mandolin) is helpful.
Southern Living and Taste of Home offer hearty family-sized recipes as well as quick dinner recipes. The "quick" or "five ingredient" recipes are usually easy enough for a child to cook (with supervision, of course).
https://www.southernliving.com/food/whats-for-supper/quick-and-easy-dinner-recipes
https://www.tasteofhome.com/cooking-style/quick-dinner-recipes/
Could you grocery shop online, with delivery or curbside pickup? Again, you'd have an upfront investment of time (to make a basic list and learn how to shop this way) that would pay off later.
I have had success with this website's Aldi Meal plans, if you have an Aldi nearby. My family has surprised me by eating anything I make from her plans.
-
4
-
Senior community/kids situation (possible trigger!)
in The Chat Board
Posted
Which is very nice. Of course, those supporting him may be close friends of his grandparents.
My point was that outsiders like us don't get the full picture because the other side is remaining quiet (for whatever reason).
It isn't terribly unusual for a minor child to "lose" both parents, even in quick succession (addiction, abuse, or jail, etc.). Lots of grandparents have to take custody of their grandchildren without much notice, and the whole family suffers. It's tragic.
I wonder how this boy's grandparents might have reacted if someone else in their community, particularly someone they didn't know, was in the same boat. By moving into a 55+ neighborhood, they stated their preferences clearly.