I'm a new convert to the Instant Pot too and it works like a slow cooker as well. My favorite thing for soups is that it has a saute function so you can do your veggies right in the same pan before adding all the other soup ingredients. You can also do steel cut oats quickly in the pressure mode if you like those. I was scared to use it, but watched a couple youtube videos and it was super easy!

Maybe if you google geologic sites something will pop up close to you and of interest. Here are two things that popped up for me in the Northeast which I gathered you lived near given your cities. Here's a mining museum in New Jersey http://sterlinghillminingmuseum.org/index.php And a cool cave in WV http://www.organcave.com/ Niagara Falls http://www.infoniagara.com/history/geological_history.aspx

I was going to say the Grand Canyon if you haven't been but December isn't the best time for that :laugh: DC is a pretty east city and a fun trip. NYC at Christmas time is on my list, so that's my vote!

Nordstrom has a great selection of Kut From the Kloth jeans with free shipping and free returns in case you want to check out the styles. The cords are really nice too and come in great colors.

These are all such good ideas! Right now I am the only person signed up for pasta of any sort, so I'll stick with that for the first round. Thank you for all the great ideas! Veggie tray and sandwich fixings are a great idea too. I could send those along. Veggie tray might be a nice switch up from green salads. The grandmother is staying with them and the kids are all in school, so eating lunch there. But some muffins would be a good addition for breakfast or if they pack their own lunches. Thanks!

I feel like we've discussed this before, but I have several meals I need to take to families in the next few weeks. 3 teenagers, no allergies. I've signed up for the standby lasagna, but looking for other inspiration.

Thank you for the links. We are working on some. He's very trainable, but extremely food motivated- lab:) he's getting the hint already just not feeding him from the kitchen. We eat most of our meals at the bar counter in the kitchen and he loves to lie beside me while I cook, but we're making progress.

As a Dodger fan, I don't think you would have wanted to see it so far. :(

We have trained our dog to beg for food, and it's annoying. It's completely our fault. We sometimes throw him food while we're cooking or eating. But it's become really bad and I need to retrain him. He sits and barks and barks. Loudly, without giving up. He is wonderfully crate trained, do I just start putting him in his crate? I don't want his crate to become a punishment. Any suggestions to stop this terrible habit I've created?

Look at Sun Basket. They have lots of delicious vegetarian options.

Never mind. I found it:)

I've had mine for a year - sitting on a shelf in my garage;) All this talk today made me get it out and watch the YouTube videos. I realized that I don't have the white plastic water Cindy sir catcher thing that goes on the back? Can I use it without this? Is there something I could substitute? I was going to try to make black bean soup first.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/cauliflower-fried-rice/ I substitute it in this and it's delicious!

Very good news that's it's been approved. All medical expenses will be covered and she will be paid while she's off, although likely not for the first 3-4 days off and they're could be a lag. But they will back date it when it's approved. In our state you are paid about 2/3 of your salary, but it is not taxable for federal or state purposes, so it is close to being full pay. Like any insurance company, you do have to be aggressive and advocate for yourself to keep your case moving. She can request another dr, or they can direct her to other providers who might be able to move up her testing and treatment. If there are light duty positions, her employer will provide a job description with physical requirements and her dr will determine if she's able to perform those. Again, our workers comp provider would provide any difference in pay between the light duty position and her original pay if there is one. She should be assigned a case number and a case manager to help her through the process. If she knows the employers' worker's comp provider, they'll have a website with a lot of information as well.

DS is involved in a group trying to find fun, interesting, interactive ways for teenagers to learn about financial education. Any suggestions for his group to look into? Thanks!

My teen DS also just uses a fitted sheet and fleece blankets. We have the t shirt type sheets I think I got at Walmart. Sam's club has the softest fleece throws every year.

I agree, first you need to have a budget. If everyone is traveling, it is nice to offer something for them, but not include them in the rehearsal dinner. I've seen it where they offer appetizers in a separate room in the hotel. More just so people traveling would have something to do, somewhere to meet up with other guests. If you invite them all to the rehearsal dinner, then it becomes a second reception. Then the rehearsal dinner would just be for the wedding party and maybe close relatives. I would just try to find something with a different vibe from the reception so it seems like different events. At my rehearsal dinner, we opened the floor to toasts or stories from the wedding party who would not be speaking at the reception. That was fun and an easy, no cost way to personalize the night.

I would call back. What do you have to lose? You don't need to work, you'd be a great employee, you want to work for them. It sounds like the issue is on their end and not yours. I really hope you find something. I totally understand where you are coming from! Locally, the Humane society is a wonderful place to volunteer. A great group of very friendly people who would welcome you in. I hope yours is the same.,

I've heard that if you're training to run a race, you will think you're faster than you are because they don't imitate real road surfaces well. I've seen the recommendation to keep it on a small incline the whole time to get a better workout.

Popular sale items here are citrus - big boxes of oranges or grapefruits, Butter braids, and poinsettias and mum sales. We have a local nursery who sells them at cost to the non profit. One catholic school used to bring Krispy Kreme doughnuts from the factory and sell them after Sunday church service. That's been a long time ago, so I'm not sure if you can still do that.

http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-ruched-sleeve-blazer/3245423 Tech wife- I'll just link this blazer here. Not wool, but flattering and it does dress up or down nicely. Bummer on your box!

Night Elf- bell sleeves are very in. I think they're flattering, but I'm bottom heavy. I really like the black sweater. I like the cutout top a lot, but the bra or tank strap issue would be a deal breaker. I don't want my clothes to be that complicated! Raw edge jeans are all the rage too. They started coming into style last year. I think they'll be around awhile. A little update to the skinny jean that seems to be staying.

I feel like I've heard about something like this before on these boards. Does anyone know of a board or computer game to teach real life financial and budgeting skills for high school level kids?

We have come to prefer lentil tacos over regular beef ones. I just make a batch of red lentils, then I saeason them with taco type seasonings, add beans and tomatoes. Then add regular taco toppings. If you're not opposed you could put out some cheese, sour cream, etc, but we're usually ok with lettuce and guacamole, salsa, etc. Side of Spanish rice with some fruit and it's a yummy dinner.

So glad they heard a heartbeat! My SIL had consecutive early miscarriages and was diagnosed with a clotting disorder. I had fertility issues which ended up in part due to low progesterone. Back in that day they didn't check for it- I found it by graphing my cycles. I was on progesterone for the first trimester. Low progesterone can lead to miscarriages as well. Prayers!