Just saw your update. Big, big hugs.

I loved it so much I was telling a good friend all about things in the book, even reading some of the pages to her over the phone. Some things really rang true for me such as the competitiveness of boys. I found that making things a competition really motivated my boys, especially when they were younger. The video game chapter really disheartened me because my boys are really into video games and play more than I would like.

Good afternoon! My boys would get a kick out of the hobbit eating schedule. Although that sounds like a lot of extra work for me! I'm kind of on strike from cooking lunch here lately. My kids are old enough to help themselves, and one has had unreasonable expectations of me lately. My kids aren't doing any competitions. They are the shy type who don't like a lot of attention. I'm just happy that one of them found his "thing," which is going to the Y nearly every day to lift weights. It weighed on me a little before because he didn't have any outside activity or interest other than video games so now he has a nice balance. He is getting out in the world. The other kid has a lot of interests that are of the academic nature but I haven't found just the right thing for him yet. If there was a STEM type group around or a history club, he could really get into that. Most kids his age aren't watching documentaries on the crusades for fun.

I keep waking up hours before I plan to and can't go back to sleep. That, coupled with low iron and probably restless legs (my legs hurt a lot at night), and life has been kind of rough lately. It's just hard to do things when you are tired. I was thinking the other day, they use sleep deprivation to torture people. :zombie:

I'll keep you and your daughter in my prayers. Hugs.

Oooh a passport!

That's very weird! Mind is not like that.

Looking on Amazon and that looks nice. The backpack type looks like something a young college kid would use and the price is not bad. Maybe I can add things to the inside like a hoodie from the school and a gas card. He's not very sentimental so that might be the best thing.

I have it but haven't read it. I'm not sure what I'm looking for...something odd?

He is going into the computer science program. He's a gamer so the type of laptops/desktops he would want would cost a lot more than I think we are going to spend. He has one he bought himself but it's probably a couple years old. Maybe we'll just wait on the suit until he needs one. Someone mentioned a laptop bag--that could work along with some other things inside maybe. We're also having a small party.

What did you do or are you going to do? I know it varies widely but maybe you can give me some ideas. My son will be living at home while going to the university that is close to our house. We are paying for his college so I think that is a pretty good gift right there. When I mentioned to my friends about getting him a suit, I could tell they thought that was a bad idea. I know it's probably not very exciting but will he need a suit for college? At least it's not a suit case, like my mom got for me.

No to everything--this week is pretty boring. How did jury duty go, Scrapbook?

I was at Target the other night and they were completely out of cauliflower. I ended up getting some of the frozen bags.

Yes, I've had some vivid dreams that I remember the next day but now I can't even think of what they were about. One repeating dream I've had is that I'm sitting in my desk in high school, not happy about being there, and then it dawns on me that I've already completed high school. I feel so relieved as I get up and walk out of the room. Guess I hated high school!

First two were around 5-6 hours, and last was longer because my water broke about a month early and had to be induced.

Snacks--just went and got some last night. Nut Thins (GF) with Laughing Cow cheese and apples. I am from Orlando, FL but grew up in a variety of places being a military brat. My family is still in Orlando but I moved away after I got married. Memorial Day plans--I haven't even thought about it!!! I'm glad you brought that up!

Hi everyone, Amy , I wonder if I missed your posts about the gala? That sounds interesting. I was busy between doing school and being a taxi driver--then I forgot I had Bible study this evening until someone texted me to see if I was going. I really thought about staying home but I'm glad I went. It's always good to get with that group of ladies. Good night!

Thank you for doing this, Scrapbook. I'm tearing up too reading your post about your nephew, Amy. I'm so sorry for your loss. Physically demanding jobs? I worked retail but I was young so I could take being on my feet. Now I think I'd be sore. At home though I just painted a room and did a landscaping project that left me really hurting. My gluten free packed lunches don't consist of much. Some type of a protein bar and fruit. Luckily I rarely have to pack lunch. If I had kids to make gf meals for, I'd definitely try harder. It's just a regular school day but an alternate day would be a nice break from the same old stuff. I should plan something!!!!

My DH is like this (and it kinda drives me crazy although it's kinda sweet). We've had this loveseat for over 20 years. It is so outdated, ugly and you just fall into it because there is no support in the cushions. When I've talked about getting rid of it he would get a little sad and say, "But it was our first loveseat."

I was using a Samsung S4 until a few days ago when I dropped and stepped on it in the dark. Otherwise, I would still be using it.

The dishwasher is run every night but their is never enough room for everything. Sometimes they are handwashed but other times they just wait for the next load. I try to be consistent with running the dishwasher nightly and unloading in the morning. At least I feel like it keeps things under control but the counters don't always get wiped and there is always something waiting to be washed so it's never all the way clean. At least it doesn't get too out of hand with my system though. It's not as good as I'd like but I only have so much time and energy.

Good afternoon! Coffee--I love Gevalia. Usually I mix a regular and a decaf to lower my caffeine intake. Our family trips are usually the same beach trip every year. We missed last year and my son was disappointed. They can go right out the back door and fish, and they always make some great catches. We went to DC one year and one of the kids complained the whole time (one has autism and if he's not happy, you never hear the end of it). Last year we rented a cabin for a few days over spring break and they had a stocked trout stream where the kids could fish. They let us use their golf cart and we used it to pull kayaks back and forth. It was so much fun! Not as cool as Montezuma's Castle but everyone was happy. DH and I want to go on a European vacation for a big anniversary without the kids some day.

Halo Top ice cream and Skinny Pop popcorn

Oh Ravin, that's terrible! I hope he's going to be ok. Just school going on here today, and taking my son to the Y. Yesterday other son had his class at the science center. I'm having dinner tonight with an old friend. Coffee every morning but this morning I poured in egg substitute instead of cream. The containers are almost identical. Then I was searching for the cream and couldn't find it so I used sweetened condensed milk instead. Measured out, WW points tracked.

We aren't even that fancy. I cook it and everyone comes to the kitchen to prepare their plates. But I love the idea of pretty cookware on the table.