Just because they don't invite themselves in doesn't mean you want to open the door to someone. You might be in a bathrobe, might be sick, the doorbell might wake up the baby so stepping out on the porch is going to address that, etc. We live by a college campus. I can't tell you how many times I was not ready for visitors and someone came to my door with little to no warning. I had just been doing a Kinect workout and dh thought it would be fine to send a student over to our house to borrow one of his ties Lol. Gee, thanks. So what if he didn't come inside, it was still bothersome to me. Not even upset with the student, just embarrassed. (And yes, of course I talked to dh about it). I'm going to fully admit I don't like drop ins. But I think for me it's because I can't keep my house clean and the way my layout is, you can see a lot when you open the door. Some people have an entry way, I do not.

Eh in my house I've seen cheese left out for much short time look like it's getting unappetizing/melty. I don't think I could touch one that had been out days. Of course it's really humid here so... For beef jerky you can get a couple variations. I haven't had what I consider real beef jerky in (to me the kind that comes to mind when I hear the term is the slices like bacon) but we sometimes get Slim Jims. Jack Links is another brand. I can only handle the Mild variety of Slim Jims. They are kind of greasy, but I would want to keep some with me as an alternative to nuts/peanut butter for protein. In addition to a cooler maybe you could bring some other insulated containers/lunch bags if that helps at all with packing. I don't know. Before dd was born I was given a tall cylinder bag with a zipper at top and a long ice block. Sometimes when we go out I just use that instead of taking a cooler. But it doesn't always distribute the cold evenly so might have to tinker with that. At Wal-Mart they had the $1 ice blocks next to some back to school stuff like sandwich containers or lunch bags or something. I know you said you have snacks covered but I was wondering if you had planned on bringing trail mix. You could make a huge batch ahead of time. Pretzels, nuts, cranberries, (not sure if chocolate would hold well). We had some trail mix a few weeks ago and dh added butterscotch and white chocolate chips to it. I'd throw the trail mix bag in the cooler, too lol.

As mentioned up thread, maybe what they should have done is call ahead. Calling ahead before you pop by is appreciated by a lot of people. Especially moms of sleeping babies with loud dogs LOL (not in that camp, but just imagining).

I'd consider using one of these: http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/10504?gclid=CPu596a4m84CFQUIaQodzUwPRw

Yes. Searching is a chore sometimes. If I know I posted sometimes I check my email because I get email notifications and never we hardly ever declutter my inbox. It is not saying exceeds size, is it? That's all I've got as a reason. I had to delete old pics to make room to post a new one once. But you only ever posted one so unless it was huge I do not understand the reason.

Probably should have read more before I posted. Thank you for clarifying/following up, vonbon. Maybe you should take your spouse's advice to take a break. If they ask you to help set up an excuse or come up with a response in advance? I get feeling obligated given that they need help but sounds like others could step up.

Too complicated to quote from this device but in regards to parents being expected to help: They offered babysitting to volunteers at our VBS but I had dh take time off work so he could watch dd. I was glad because the babysitting was handled by just one young girl (Middle school or possibly high school age. And dd is one handful!). Ds attended and I volunteered but I felt no sense of, "man, these other parents need to volunteer if they bring their kids." Umm hello, many have work and the grandma drops the kids off or they have siblings too young for VBS or whatever. I don't care. Maybe they have social anxiety. Not my place to judge. Please offer some grace. The first summer I tried to send ds to one I was informed last min. that I did not qualify to volunteer because I needed to take a Protection of Children class. There was no time so we opted not to attend. I know not every parent has taken the class so not every parent qualifies to be involved. Creepy does not have to mean you felt danger like being robbed. It could be more like ugh I did not want company. Half my family wears pjs or goes pantless when there is no where to go. It is just reality. Or ugh are they gonna try to talk me into going to their church. People coming to my door from a church I have attended is not part of my average experience. Yes, after dd was born but that is about it. So it would be out of the norm for me and feel like I was being smothered briefly. Still could dismiss as nice intentions.

Yay!! Thank you for posting this update.

This is assuming people don't know each other in town and don't see what they drive to school/if they have a car. There are just so many occasions where people already know something about each other. Oh your last name sounds familiar... isn't your dad the local dentist? Etc.

:lol:

People always say that uniforms help everyone fit in, but I don't know. I mean you could still probably find some way to be a jerk if you don't have to buy the uniforms from the same place. Oh this person got their khakis at Wal-Mart vs. XYZ store. This person has an expensive belt while others do not. This person has nicer shoes. That person has a cheap backpack. One person has hand me down uniforms, while another has brand new. Then of course there is teasing that goes beyond clothing/accessories. You have a funny name. You have an awful hair cut. Your overbite is huge. Etc. Kids are jerks. I wore regular clothes for 9th and 10th grade. Then we switched to uniforms so I wore that for 11th and 12th grade. I don't know that bullying really changed. Personally I was teased about other things non-clothing specific so I may have a different perception.

The fruit didn't look that bad til you got really close (strawberries, all with soft mushy spots) and I didn't think to take a picture when I first notice. Now if I take a pic it won't be an honest representation of what I first saw. Before we go to the store I think I will just call and see what they want.

check exp. dates on previously purchased meds, keep receipts and return some new toiletries or donate? Ask him where he wants stuff stored/where he looks for those items. Maybe keep some there just for him. I might ask my dh to return. The act of returning might make him think twice about buying next time. Tell him to just text you first if he is unsure. Could you afford a new table or paint/change the existing one to make it more likeable? Legos get one room, keep baby out of said room or check legos are returned after use?

Well, I heard something about lipstick that was similar to what a pp said, but a little different. I don't think about that when I see people wearing makeup, but supposedly it represents another part of female anatomy. This link is not where I originally heard that, though. http://femininecollective.com/8-truths-about-lipstick-that-you-might-not-know

I've worn a uniform (in public school ugh wth) and had to recently purchase one for my son. They did not specify "tight" or anything like that at his school. They were very laid back about it. Just said the color of the slacks. Standard stuff -- no cargo pockets. And worn with a belt so obviously you need belt loops. There were some requirements for footwear as well. In fact I have yet to see anything in writing, it was all verbally told to me. There might be a dress code in writing somewhere. I don't think tightness was addressed at my public school, either. But I do think something was available in writing probably. Uniform pants, depending on where you get them, aren't any more expensive in my personal experience. I just ordered ds some pants & shorts from Academy Sports and got two pairs for what some might pay for one. Granted, not all their pants were as cheap as the ones I got. I am very happy with the quality and I got the pants with the reinforced knees. They had polos for $3.99 each but I got some from walmart.com as well. I would be highly upset if uniforms were free for one group but not another. Whether it was a group of girls vs boys or group of brunettes vs blondes or whatever. Just no. ETA: oops I didn't realize the girls had to buy uniform pants from one place that was expensive in a previous post. Also editing to say that while I didn't spend tons of money so far, I don't know how fast ds will outgrown or damage clothing and when I was a student it was a huge burden because they switched to uniforms right before my junior year. In my case I needed new shoes since I often wore tennis shoes and those were not allowed. I felt bad for my parents having to spend all that money on new clothes when I already had clothes/shoes that I'd been wearing to school.

Another idea I had was to take a photo of the bad fruit next to the receipt lol and then just show the picture on your phone

I think of it as a side but eat it as a meal all the time lol dh tells me it is a side. But mine does not have meat. Others will bring main dishes or no? I would prefer it to KFC. I think the meat helps sell it as main dish.

We planned to return the last batch of strawberries to Sam's. Looked fine til I got a closer look. But we did not get there yet and now I do not know if they will honor it. Since the container is full I guess they would believe me? Lol I do not think we have ever returned fruit. This one batch of bananas stayed hard for weeks. I am not kidding. I threw a couple away that I peeled (or tried to) thinking they were ripe enough. These were ridiculously hard but we do not live anywhere near that store. Had been given to us by MIL.

I went to Amazon and typed in "hands free headset speaker" lol. https://www.amazon.com/Hands-free-Condenser-Microphone-Megaphone-Conference/dp/B01982Z5CI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469646668&sr=8-2&keywords=hands+free+headset+speaker Not sure if that will help you. Maybe you will be linked to similar products?

Have you tried JCP? Looks like a good deal. http://www.jcpenney.com/kids/shop-all-boys/boys-clothes-8-20/cat.jump?id=cat1001440002

I have heard of Boba but unsure if they can wear baby on back as they get bigger. We were given a Land of Nod gift card for ds as a baby present. Got a wall book bin we still use. Luckily back then I managed to get a free shipping code. I never see those anymore. We used to shop at One Step Ahead. Some of their items were unique. At the time, anyway, that is the only place we saw our baby "pool" which was not a pool so much as gentle sprinkler? Have you looked at bookdepository.com for more book choices? Another place I like to shop is thechildrensplace. I got stuff there just today with free shipping and a 60% off code. They usually have pretty cute stuff.

If you are set on carrier... Some food for thought. Lillebaby works without an infant insert and has a taller back panel and neck support. Bed bath & beyond and Target have started selling the plain (non patterned) ones. BB&B always has 20% off coupons. Could order and they could return on person if not a good fit. I use the lillebaby all seasons with my toddler. Handles up to 45 lbs. and has a few carrying positions.

:iagree:

children's place website has free shipping and a 60% off code right now. I just ordered a couple Christmas gifts. Not everything had a great price, but I did find a few good things.

Hmm any way to ask? Not necessarily about a registry but like have someone ask (text? email?) if there's anything they realized they needed/wanted? You never know, they could want a spare playpen for grandma's house or such. Someone gave us a spare baby/toddler bathtub that I use everytime I take dd to my parents'.