We have been fortunate to have minimal illnesses even prior to Covid. Sometime during the winter (Nov. to March) a cold will pass through the family, and I think it's been five or more years since a stomach bug has hit us. The big differerence for us is the less exposure to people in general. My kids and hubby have barely left to house except when we go hiking, biking, or other outside activity. Also the few places that we (mostly me) go, sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. I think all the washing, santizing, and less people (and sick people staying home) is having the bigger impact. Masks are probably helping too, but so many are wearing/using them improperly (some purposely, some unthinkingly) the places I go, I don't know how effective they are.

I can no longer donate blood as it takes me about 5 to 6 months to claw my way out of anemia. However, I stared donating plasma a little over a year ago when I found out about it. I typically donate twice a week as long as my iron and protein levels are good.

As a person who does not have my phone attached to me at all times, I am the person least likely to respond immediately. On the weekends I rarely check my phone unless my kiddos have gone somewhere. In addition to not responding immediately, I don't expect other to either which means I text with plenty of time to respond if I need/would like a response. It seems in my circles, that a fairly quickly response time is the expectation though. Friends and family have just gotten used to DH and I not being hyper responsive. I know it frustrates them and it has become a little of a joke, but DH and I don't want to be attached to our devices 24/7.

At various times, we have gone through something similar. These are some things that helped for us: 1. Are we burnt out? About every 6-8 weeks, the kids start to get squirrely (and I do too to be honest), and I know it's time for a break. It usually results in a week off, but sometimes it's a week or a day of "fun" school activities. Hikes in the woods, cooking/baking a meal together that the kids planned, a trip to a museum or the zoo, invite friends over for the day. 2. Letting them choose which subjects to do in the order they want to do it in. 3. Playing outside for an hour before school starts. 4. Not expecting them to sit still. My son likes to bounce on an exercise ball. My middle daughter likes to lay on the floor or sit on the couch. 5. Doing certain subjects in a creative way. For example, doing spelling words outside with chalk. Or creating an alphabet grid in the living room and letting them jump to spell their words. 6. Allow reasonable breaks if it's doing something physical. My middle daughter likes to go out and swing between subjects or if she is having a difficult time with something. A 5-15min break can work wonders. 7. Allowing them to listen to music while working. I need quiet, but my oldest works better having a little music as it blocks out little sounds that distract her. 8. Having a plethora of pencils and other supplies right on hand. Oh, you dropped your pencil. Here is one, you can pick them all up when you're done. Hopefully this give you a few ideas and it will get better.

I am no okay with it at all. However, I do understand that there are cultural practices in which ear piercing babies is a thing, and many people do not think it's that big of a deal. In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor thing and I will not condemn others even though I am not a fan of cosmetic procedures to a child that cannot consent.

For us, April-June were really high numbers. Now we are a faction of those numbers, but it goes up and down daily. The one positive thing I have seen (looking at our numbers) is while positive cases are up and down sometimes drastically, the daily death rates and hospital rates are down into the single digits. September and October, our overall deaths whether from Covid or other reasons is right around the average for this time of year. I do know there have been asymptomatic people in my community that were tested due to school, work, etc. (vs just going on their own) but they never developed any symptoms nor those they came in contact which is another reason people around me have relaxed.

I think it is a good sweet family friendly film. As a family that has read the series, however, we were disappointed in a quite a few things different things. Of course that is how it usually is for us. We don't like when they dramtically change (make up) things in a movie.

If I could afford it, then no I wouldn't ask for money towards regular groceries. Since he doesn't drive, I may make an arrangement where he could give me some money for specific things he wants like certain snacks or drinks that I wouldn't normally purchase, but I don't even know if I would do that. There isn't really a right or wrong answer, but what works best in your household's situation as well as your son's. I am big with members of a household contributing to the well being of the household, but that looks different to every household.

Individuals taking advantage of programs to assist/help/bridge the gap for those that need it bothers me greatly. There is always a limit to the amount of help that can be provided because resourses are not infinite. Unfortunately this is just a reality of every assistance program. I try hard not to make assumptions based on just something I see because I'm always lacking the majority of the story, but sometimes I am told directly by the person how they are taking advantage of the program.

We don't plan to have radically different holidays among family. However, we will see our most vulnerable family first. At that point we will have had very little contact with anyone. Among family we have not worn masks or socially distanced, but we do make sure we have no symptoms or fevers.

Totally needed permission and should have been respectful of your landscaping. BASIC RESPECT. Ultimately they meant no harm, but it is not mean/rude/overreaching/overbearing to establish boundaries when it comes to your property. It can be done in a kind/loving way. How your neighbors take it is up to them. Power lines run near our property line and periodically the power company needs tohave trees trimmed. The power company ALWAYS sends a letter or leaves a note in advance as well as the tree company, introducing themselves, letting us know they are doing work for the power company. My DD had build a fort at the base of one of the trees, and they told me they would try not damage the fort but it may get damaged. Basic respect even though they owed me nothing other than a knock on the door to inform me of the necessary work and show me their permit.

At our library it is 6 card holders and they ask to keep browsing to no more than 15 minutes. If you do not have a card, then you are not allowed in. One may apply online though. Because all my kids(3) and I have our own library card, I will take all of us. My children have just as much desire to browse and pick out their own books as I do. They are upper elementary though and will browse in their area while I am browsing elsewhere. I do time our visit to be at a nonbusy time. Often we are the only ones in the library.

My oldest is 13. Around 10/11, with all the other puberty talk, I discussed shaving if she had a desire or questions, but made sure to address it as a personal preference like hairstyles, clothing, and makeup. So far she hasn't wanted to shave. If she does in the next year or so, I will probably give her an electric razor to start.

I would not unless I could hire it all out and have it done prior to moving. I nor DH like to do house projects, and peice mealing projects have always resulted in me making a lot of compromises which then effect other projects done the road.

My MIL passed away 2yrs ago. DH had a rough day following the news, but his mom had been battling cancer for about 3years prior to her getting the terminal diagnosis of 3-6months. She had been getting frailer and frailer after each round of treatment. We always saw DH's family about once a month or every other month, and those last few months with his mom he went quite frequently. DH did more grieving (as well as embracing as much time as he could) while his mom was alive, and felt that he had closure. He was sad not to have his mom anymore, but relieved that she wasn't in pain anymore. I will say my DH didn't handle any of the medical stuff, financial, or end of life stuff, my SIL did all that.

I love gas, and will always prefer it. Growing up we had electric as well as in every apartment I ever lived. However, when we moved into this house, it has a gas stove. I love the control for cooking, can even cook somethings (like corn tortillas) directly over the flame, and I like that I can cook even when the power goes out, while doesn't happen often, but when it does it is usually a couple of days. It is also easier to replace parts as well as inexpensive vs. the newer electric/glass top models. In the 17yrs we have lived in the house, my husband has replaced a couple of the igniters for only a couple dollars each with minimal effort. Cleaning for me isn't really an issue other than others (mainly DH) never cleaning up after themselves. My model has a drip tray under each burner that is easily removed as well as can go in the dishwasher. Also, I never put covers on my knobs as my children didn't bother them. If you have natural gas running into your house for other uses like the water heater or heat, you are just as likely (which is low) to have a gas leak from one of those as you are a stove. Because natual gas has a smell, it is easier to catch a leak than say faulty electrical wiring inside your wall. Of course, you shouldn't "force" yourself into having one if you don't really want one either due to concerns or preferences if you are able to replace it.

Not knowing the neighbor or custormy habits, I would assume the neighbor mother wanted to mow the lawn. Either because she enjoyes it, wants to get away from said individuals inside, or needs something to do while others are busy doing other things. Sometimes it is less "work" and "stress" for me to do something myself than have someone else do it.

No she hasn't ever confused reading, and still writes left to right, probably because she didn't start using notebook paper until about 3rd grade when she was already reading voraciously and writing pretty well. Prior to that she (and all my kids) used the large lined paper for lower elementary. With spiral bound notebooks, she writes on the backside of the paper. I usually just have her use loose leaf because she only wants to write on that one side.

My middle child is a lefty. It was evident very early on, only a couple of months old. She always reached with her left, moved things from her right to her left, used her pincher fingers on the left, etc. My other two, who are right handed, didn't show a preference until between one and two and even then it wasn't as strong as my lefty. Some things that make school easier for her. Left scissors - the blades are actually switched so she can see where she is cutting, and she uses her spiral bound notebooks backwards or prefers loose leaf paper. Other than that her fine motor skills are great.

Not a dog owner here. If the trash has not been picked up yet, then it wouldn't bother me. It's sitting right on top, will get picked up soon, and I would rather have that than sitting in my yard. However, an empty can. Yeah I would be mad. One it is on the bottom so may break open and now my trash can has dog poop on the inside. Two, it will be sitting and brewing for the whole week. Despite it being a convenience thing for the dog owner to not have to carry her dog's poop, it is very inconsiderate and rude to place your dog's poop in someone else's property.

I have friends on both sides. One that attended and another that believes all the people protesting will kill everyone else in the state with their actions. The one thing both my friends agree on is that they want Michiganders to be safe, healthy, and good citizens. They just disagree in how that happens.

I don't like it for ALL the things. It is a nice option, and I have a Zoom meeting for my Bible Study once a week. That's it and seriously it is enough for me. With DH working from home and needing the computer with the camera as well as his cell, my tablet is the only other device with a camera. Yeah, the kids don't have access to it nor am I going to give them access. Trying to coordinate the kids Zoom meetings and my meetings would be a giant headache so I've said no to everything.

The library. :) We visit once a week, and although we always checked out a large quantity of books, the kids fly through them. We have been using the digital resources more, but it just isn't the same.

Both DH and I. For DH we got to celebrate as we normally do. He got the treat of his choice, I made his dinner choice, and we took a nature hike at a local park. All my plans got canceled for my birthday. I treated as any other normal day, and maybe I'll be able to do my plans at a later date.

When asked, yes I help otherwise I don't offer. Mainly because the schools are setting up online/home instruction. I have no clue how it should be managed. However, I have had a few friends seek out advice regarding the kids being home all day and finding creative activities/outlets.