How did you get her ring size?

Oops another thing I should have said: yes, I've bought two gift cards but I'd like something tangible to give her too. Sorry again! (I really didn't sleep well last night.)

Oh, sorry, I should have said: She's in her second year of college, but returns home every summer. Even though she's in college, her home-base is still very much w/ her parents. She doesn't work or play a sport. (I think she's doing some type of paid internship w/ a financial group this summer.) She's into clothes and makeup.

I don't see my niece often at all b/c they live a billion miles away. On top of that my sister is no help at all in the "what should I give her" dept. Adding: She's in her second year of college, but returns home every summer. Even though she's in college, her home-base is still very much w/ her parents. She doesn't work or play a sport. (I think she's doing some type of paid internship w/ a financial group this summer.) She's into clothes, makeup and jewelry. I've bought two gift cards but I'd like something tangible to give her too. Any ideas very appreciated!!

I write about travel for a parenting mag in Virginia. I thought you might like to see these articles: Georgia Islands: The Family Went Down to Georgia Outer Banks, NC (really great beaches section after the part on sharks): Shark Smart & Beach Bound -- Learning to share the ocean South Carolina: When It's Carolina Time -- Discover Hilton Head Island Virginia Beach: Spinning Hurricanes into Gold -- Getting Back to Virginia Beach For another group, I wrote about Virginia Beach hotels: Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront North Quality Inn & Suites Oceanfront You didn't say Delaware beaches, but I'm including b/c they were my favorite especially Rehoboth: A Date with Delaware Shore and Lots More for Families I love beaches. I hope these help!

I hadn't heard of it. But it looks cool. Great name. Thanks for sharing!

I agree with regentrude. And I vote for option one. A 4.0 in DE classes is awesome!! Especially in the one class that was difficult. You both sound wonderful! Congratulations to you both.

Down fifteen in nine months is a huge accomplishment! I truly believe: the slower, the better. I tried to look at plateaus as my body needing time to adjust to my new weight. (If I lost too fast, my body would think, she's starving!!, take control and dunk me in ice cream until I gained the weight back.)

I'm team neurologist. Stay safe.

Evie is beautiful! Blondie too! Have fun with your new baby!!

(((mlktwins))) That's heartbreaking. I'm so, so sorry.

That's sad. I guess I should write "be insanely nice to everyone who deals with the public." Fixed it! Thank you. (We love Totoro too. )

I'm writing a small guide for my boys when they leave home. I didn't just come up with this on the fly, I've been saving ideas for months. MRIs -- ask for a dry wash cloth to go over your eyes and keep them closed the whole time.😊 Max out your 401(k) at work. Think: systems over goals. Always work for your future self. Do your fair share of cleaning around the house. Vacuuming without being asked gets you extra points. Big and medium-sized dogs need daily exercise. When doing medical: always check for in-network. Out of network is thousands. (For MRIs, bloodwork, bone density etc.) Always be insanely polite to medical people, you'll be treated better, get paperwork quicker and so forth. Send thank you notes. Living contrarion is never a bad idea. Don't bring flowers home every Friday: partners want spontaneity. Google Warren Buffet on how to be successful: awesome. Sales people are not your friends. Remember this one thing and you'll save a fortune. If they're on commission or a quota, you're not their priority and they only want to sell to you. Why to date for two years before getting married. Never buy something online if you've had a drink. Trust me. Radiator hoses don’t last; once your vehicle turns ten, have a new hose installed every seven years. (If cars are the same.) The car battery lasts about 3 to 5 years and then get a new one. Otherwise you're waiting until your car just won't start one day. (If cars are the same.) Be super kind to the amazing doctors. Be a life-long learner. Read. Doctors are just people. If you don't get satisfactory answers: seek another opinion. Often doctor's staff are severely overworked. If they don't call you back, call them again re: how to take a medication. If you've asked for your records to be sent to another doctor, never assume they did. Go get your records. It's a pain, but worth it. Best things to say to your spouse: You are so beautiful and I am so lucky. Say thank you and mean it. Say I'm sorry and mean it. Always get a third, fourth, and fifth opinion on serious medical issues. If you even have a small worry that your current doctor isn't on the nose, get another opinion. Two opinions without your confidence isn't enough. Visit your mother often. That's it for now!

@Carol in Cal. @KungFuPanda @DawnM @BeachGal You guys are awesome!! Thank you so much! I actually forgot about this thread -- my memory -- but finally remembered, thank you again!

@Lori D. Everything Lori said. It's such a bittersweet time. And homeschooling was the most amazing chapter of my life. Just know, you are not alone. ♥

We do have similar taste! Could you let me know when you find a good one? And I'll let you know too! So cool that you read Tommy's book -- what an amazing guy to write with such openness.

Me too! I love One Thousand Splendid Suns! These three are so, so good. Have you read them? Cutting for Stone (written by a surgeon similar to One Thousand) Pachinko Free Food for millionaires

Her story is just amazing. Every odd was against her and yet here she is at 93 sending out Facebook posts! And smiling! (If you want to follow her, she's at Dr. Edith Eger.) So glad you liked it! I just finished The Kite Runner and One Thousand Splendid Suns. Both unbelievably great. If you haven't read them and want to, both books have a couple of scenes that I skipped. And skipping them didn't hurt my understanding of the story at all. Let me know if you'd like a heads-up on scenes you don't want in your mind!!

Some of the beach communities have activities -- Georgia Islands -- like climb a light house, see a small museum, eat in the cute little towns, but I'm not sure that that's exciting enough for your kids! At the Outer Banks you can visit where the Wright Brothers first flew their plane and look inside the small museum. There's a lot to do in Charlotte, SC: here's the article. They have a lot of indoor and outdoor stuff for kids. Say Yes, to Charlotte for the Family But again, the South is hot in July. I get up early, do the fun stuff, and throw my boys in the pool in the afternoon. 🙂

We did Universal in Orlando in November -- a low-crowd time on their calendar. Yes, the lines weren't as long, but there were still people everywhere. I wrote this article, although since you've been you likely don't need it. Where Muggle Families Can Soar! I wrote a kid-friendly article on Nashville that I thought you might want to read. The article is about Nashville itself, not about Dollywood. Kidding Around in Nashville! (including family-friendly music spots). We were in Nashville in July and it was freaking hot. So if you do Nashville I'd get up early to use the cool mornings and throw the kids in the pool in the afternoons. I was a family travel writer for years up until covid. (Jobs are starting to trickle in so hopefully travel will be a thing again soon.) But if you're at all interested in a beach community in the South East, I've written about several and would be happy to send you an article.

I'm so sorry for you and your mom.

I am so glad to hear that the seniors liked it! Thank you! Great gifts for the moms in your life! So sweet. Great title.

I want a tabletop grill too!

My parents are in their late 70s and want less "stuff" that they'd have to give away or toss. (Plus, they live 3,000 miles away.) My mom now has Alzheimer's. So this gift is perfect for her. But it's also awesome for a mom with bad eye sight. (Which would be me, and I forget what day of the week it is all the time.) https://www.amazon.com/【Upgraded】Digital-Calendar-Alarm-Day-Clock/dp/B07Q79DMGY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=giant+display+clock&qid=1620145605&sr=8-4 What are you sending your mom? (If of course you don't live close.)

I don't know, but I'm glad you're seeing your doctor. Is the appointment relatively soon?