I had braces in the mid 80's. I had 8 baby teeth and 3 adult teeth pulled. I don't remember how many visits but it wasn't more than 3. My son just had 3 baby teeth pulled 4 months ago. They pulled it all at one time. His adult teeth that were not coming in because of the baby teeth were in within 2-3 weeks. He just got his braces on 2 weeks ago. FWIW, my brother had his last baby tooth pulled out at 16. And my oldest lost all of his baby teeth by the time he was 10. There is a wide range of normal.

I like to use vintage or antique toys - a little riding horse, alphabet blocks that spell out a sweet message. Many of my decorations are family heirlooms or wedding gifts (November wedding). But you don't have to spend lots of money. Some of my favorite decorations are sweet child-made snowflakes and paper chains, popcorn garlands with cranberries. I have cheap dollar store bulbs I put in a clear mixing bowl. Old cake plates or punch bowls filled with collected pine cones. Glass jars or mason jars filled with burned out Christmas lights or tiny ornaments. Stacks of Christmas or old books Table clothes can be folded and draped as pretty runners sprinkled with pine cones and dollar store ornaments We host an open house every year. It's so much fun! We have a chili bar and snacks with hot chocolate and cookies, of course. Sometimes we do a $10 or less gift exchange or play games. Our favorite game is putting 20 small items in a sock (10 for kids). Tie it off and hand out paper and pens. The sock makes its rounds and everyone must try to guess what is in the sock by feel only. :) I buy small prizes like a Christmas tea towel or candle for the adult winners, books, slinkies etc. for kids.

No.

My maternal gran was Nana. She was British and I always assumed that was why she was Nan. When I had children, my SIL already had children and they called my MIL "Nana". So my mom chose Mimi. They call my MIL Nana like their cousins.

Family of 4 with 2 teen boys, we spend $700-$800 a month, everything included. We buy fresh when at all possible, organic if it's cheap. I'm vegetarian. The rest of the crew are meat eaters. ;) We buy meat, cheese, some produce, paper products and some toiletries all at Costco. Today was shopping day. I paid $125. Included: Romaine 2 pounds carrots 10 # potatoes 2 # onions a few peppers 3 # peaches 3 # apples 6 bananas 1 head of broccoli 1.5 gal milk 1 gal OJ 1 gal AJ 1 16 oz sour cream 1 8 oz cream cheese 1 5 oz parm cheese 2 cans chick peas (I make my own hummus) 2 bags of chips (potato and tortilla) 18 bagels 6 pitas a loaf of whole grain bread hamburger buns 2 # pasta Ice cream frozen chicken frozen raviolis 1 take and bake pizza Pop a bottle of wine I shop at Walmart (I know, I know) and this is a typical week ,well except for the wine. I buy generic when I can and it doesn't affect the taste- pasta, canned veg and beans. I I've been adding about $10 a month for the last year as my boys begin to eat me out of house and home. My 12yo has grown 2 inches this summer alone. :D

I always think Bob Marley. I know the real answer, but there it is.

Owie! I'm so sorry! I hope it heals quickly!

I am so sorry for your loss. And I'm sorry your friends are letting you down. That is hurt upon hurt. People often say/do nothing when they don't know what to say or do instead of just saying, "I don't know what to say." Many people also can't deal with the raw emotion of grief. That doesn't excuse their behavior, but it does explain it. Two years ago yesterday I lost my dad. I share in your grief and hope by doing so you know you are not alone.

You made me spit out my water. :) I think it explains a lot about me, too!

My oldest is in PS (online charter). He starts Monday. So, ds11 and I will start then, too. It's going to be very different for us to follow the traditional school year.

Wishing you the best! Thanks for the update!

Recommendations from my crew (all having a good laugh at the category 2 names): Malcolm, Dewey and Reese Tom, Jerry, Spike Jerry, Bob, Phil (for Grateful Dead fans)

I've always put stinky paper products in a plastic bag with an incense stick and closed it up for awhile. If the paper just has a musty smell though, I'd just let it air out.

That was very hurtful of him, Tammy. I would have said just that. :( I'm sorry.

That is great news! :)