I love Rick Steves. Love his books. I also like the Lonely Planet guides. I think they're great too.

You had me at "mortgage free". 😊

If he has the grades and scores for a military academy - look at University of Alabama Huntsville. They offer a huge merit package (regardless of state of residency) and have a fairly large engineering school. It's totally worth a look. No, it's not an academy (I'm a grad, I get it) but it may make college a reality. I'm sorry it didn't work out for your son. I hope he can find his path and a new fire soon.

I think picking the school for "cheap and friends" didn't work out well. I'd recoup as much as I could and find a better school for her to attend. She'll learn more, find mentors, and enjoy the industry more. I'd start looking today.

I loved A Year of Living Danishly.

According to the edhesive website "*This course has been authorized by the College Board to use the AP designation. AP is a registered trademark of the College Board." I'm listing it as AP.

Y'all are amazing. Thank you brilliant hive mind!

I have a motivated student... Good in math... Completed Saxon through Advanced Math, then earned an easy A in DE (on campus) precalc. She'd like to take calc 2 DE in the fall. I can't find a DE sooner calculus 1 that's not a May-mester, and I think calculus should be marinated in for longer than a month. So - if she started DO calculus starting 1 March, would it be reasonable for her to finish before 1 August? She's a future engineer type and plans to retake calculus 1 and 2 as a freshman. Any prior user's help would be hugely appreciated!!! Thanks!!!

I bought my jacket on Amazon. 😉 It makes for a heavy jacket, but I just think it's easier to manage.

I travel a lot and I've switched to a travel jacket (Scott evest) or vest (Eddie Bauer). Hands free, passport is zippered inside, RFID pockets... It's just so much less hassle than guarding a purse. Before I used a Travelon and never had any issues with it, but the jacket is SO much easier.

Thank you!!!

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Just wondering if you have to do anything - or is that level just a nice letter in the mail? I don't think DD will make the semifinal cut but should be above the projected national commended. Thanks!!

Right now I'd look at CVS, Walmart, and hobby lobby for super clearance Valentine's Day stuff. A bag of candy or cheesey fun could be spread out for awhile.

Nope. I do allow coffee, but the teen that drinks it usually only ever has part of a cup. We don't keep soda at home or buy it at restaurants.

Follow up with an email. Or, preferably call them. It's likely they're swamped and your just fine, but I'm with you in that s little communication would make me feel a whole lot better! And any chance the confirmation email is in a spam folder? Lots of my normal stuff goes to a word folder on Gmail.

Your going to look American regardless of what shoes you wear, sorry. We travel a lot and it's just kind of obvious who's American (or German.... British... whatever). I'd aim for the most comfort and maybe a little "fancier" if you plan on doing any nice dining and wear them.

Ground meats - sight Grilled meats - thermometer (every time)

I'm now down 60.4. I eat pizza two or three times a month. I eat fruit.... Tons of it... Every day. I eat whipped pb on a Joseph's pita almost daily. I will say, I don't eat refined sugar or heavy carbs much. I'm loving WW. I have about 20 to goal.

Thank you!! She'll have chem (with a solid SAT subject test), bio, DE astronomy with lab, and some version of DE physics. I think it's fine. Her ACT scores rock. Oh the worries!! LOL We're doing a couple college visits next week so I'll report back with what the admissions party line is when we get back.

We're having this SAME discussion/debate at home. DD can possibly take and complete Derek Owens calculus 1 before the fall term to be able to take the college calculus based (science major) physics 1. And, also calculus 2. But is it worth it? Should she push that hard? I mean, I guess as a parent I'm frustrated that (...I feel like...) high school kids have to be advanced college kids to compete for good science/engineering colleges. I'd prefer she work over the summer, take an academic break, and take calculus 1 on campus and non science college physics DE in the fall. Then, take calculus 2 and science major physics when she's actually IN college. But, I don't want her to not be able to compete because I advised her poorly. I'm interested in what those who've BTDT have done.

ThredUp! Cheap, easy, great for transition clothes. It's online, easy to search, free shipping over certain order sizes. If you want a referral code, please pm me. ðŸ˜

I agree with taking with a financial planner. Just the health care might be worth staying for, even though it doesn't kick in until 65. I'd look more into it. ETA - This just stinks. Completely. Make sure he gets EVERY benefit set up before he leaves.

I'm thinking of a road trip from San Fran to Seattle. About a week. What would you recommend we not miss?! Right off, I'm thinking we'll save Yosemite for another trip.

Thank you for the ideas!! Any ideas on how much I should purchase?